Learning a new Technique ( or Going Over an Area of Particular Dificulty )

[mr. folsom]

Suppose you're like me, and dedicated a rather limited time to practice ( 30 mins - 1 hr), and you're learning a piece with techniques you haven't used before ( for me, this happens to be legato and staccato in the same hand ). When you're in the process of learning a piece and there is a certain problem area, how do you go about it. So far,  I've tried two ways: The first is simply going over the entire passage while the problem area "catches up"; the second is simply isolating the problem at length. The two both pose problems. With the first, the difficult part, never truly gets up to par and with the second, I feel that I am going nowhere in the limited time of practice.

Of course, I could always try to make more time for practice, but in the meantime, I am open to any suggestions yo all may have.

Peace and Gratitude

[jeremyjchilds]

Suppose you're like me, and dedicated a rather limited time to practice ( 30 mins - 1 hr), and you're learning a piece with techniques you haven't used before ( for me, this happens to be legato and staccato in the same hand ). When you're in the process of learning a piece and there is a certain problem area, how do you go about it. So far,  I've tried two ways: The first is simply going over the entire passage while the problem area "catches up"; the second is simply isolating the problem at length. The two both pose problems. With the first, the difficult part, never truly gets up to par and with the second, I feel that I am going nowhere in the limited time of practice.

Of course, I could always try to make more time for practice, but in the meantime, I am open to any suggestions yo all may have.

Peace and Gratitude

Isolated practice (assuming you are practicing the right technique) is very good as long as you make sure to practice a bar before and a bar behind the difficult part.

THe one qualifying remark that I will make with that is to be sure to not practice the same difficult part for more than 5 minutes at a time. But the best use of 30 minutes would be to go over a series of trouble spots in your song, even though you may not feel like you are getting anywhere
 
As to your concern about lack of "feeling like you are getting anywhere"

Remember, playing the piano can be a lot like working out. After your workout, you are at your weakest...but when you recover...it's magic.

Playing the piano strengthens and clears neuromuscular pathways, as well as works skeletal muscle, both of which need time to recouperate. Usually after a long practice session I am not nearly as good as I will be the next day...especially if I can mentally practice the song in the meantime (look for Bernard's links)

Don't be discouraged. If you are trying to get gratification from your practicing, then remember that practicing is not supposed to be the payoff, it is the investment. People often mix these up.

[richleau]

   Mark Twain gave a very interesting tip for learning a new word: say it three times perfectly and it's yours. The same holds true for music. Play it three times perfectly (in succession) and you've got it!
 
   One way to practice your trouble spots is to play them backwards. Very difficult, I know, but only at first. Besides, it will strengthen your sight-reading skills and and force you to pay attention to timing.
   
   Another tip: never play the whole song through, expecting your trouble spots to "catch up." Such a procedure can be detrimental, causing the erroneous section to become "wired" in your brain. Meaning, that it can become a habit to play it wrong.



                                                    Richleau

[jeremyjchilds]

   Mark Twain gave a very interesting tip for learning a new word: say it three times perfectly and it's yours. The same holds true for music. Play it three times perfectly (in succession) and you've got it!
 
   

That may be a little optomistic...

Maybe if you are talking about three times in a row...

[leahcim]

That may be a little optomistic...

Maybe if you are talking about three times in a row...

"MY MOTHER ALWAYS SAID YOU'D ,,,,"
"...FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, ONOMATOPOEIA, DON'T BRING YOUR ONOMATOPOEIA MOTHER INTO IT...I'M LEAVING YOU JANET, I'VE HAD ENOUGH ONOMATOPOEIA...."
"Oh Phillip you can say it...."
" Onomatopoeai! - Yey! I'm sorry I shouted dear..."
"That's ok...."

[pianistimo]

here's some ideas to copy from playing bach inventions

https://publish.uwo.ca/~elosseva/memorizing.htm

[stephane]

Also have a look at https://members.aol.com/cc88m/PianoBook.html This is a great book on how to practise and it's free downloadable. (2nd edition)

As indicated search this forum for Bernard's, xvimbi and many other's information. There's a huge amount on useful information on practising.

Here's a recent posting with a summary of Bernhard's method (he might say it's not his ), but be sure to do a search.
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,5298.0.html

For the specific legato - staccato in one hand I hope someone else can help. I'm not at that level Yet.

Best regards,

Stephane