people have hard times following directions these days
Especially arbitrary ones that have no bearing on reality...
IMPROV IS NOT A CHOICE PEOPLE SO DON'T COME ON THIS THREAD UNLESS YOU CAN STICK WITH THE TWO CHOICES
IF u were playing the piano and were forced to practice only one thing would u practice technique or your sheet music.
Sheet music, sure, but then why not devise some technical exercises based on the sheet music on an “as needed” basis? Yes, I think I will do that as well.
Cortot exercises?
If I were at the piano and I was forced to practise just one thing and further to that I was given only one choice between sheet music and technique, and furthermore I was forbidden to include improvisation amongst my choices, then I would think that this is definitely a case for Gandhian civil disobedience and I urge all lovers of freedom to come here and post as many choices as one wishes, even if it results into imprisonment, and beating up by the practice police.So to answer the question: Improvisation seems a great idea. Sheet music, sure, but then why not devise some technical exercises based on the sheet music on an “as needed” basis? Yes, I think I will do that as well. Pure technique? This does not exist in reality. It is just a mental construct.But also, careful analysis of the score would come in handy. So I would probably spend a good time deconstructing the score (separating the voices, doing harmonic reductions, transforming chord progressions into melodic lines, etc.), and then putting it all back together again in layers just to see what makes the piece tick.Ah yes, given these two choices, I would reserve some of the practice time for sight-reading – such an important skill must not be neglected. And here is another choice not mentioned: I would listen to all that, both the full piece and all the deconstructed layers above.Ah yes, if I was forced to practise just one thing, I would probably practise some of my martial arts skills as well (on the person forcing me to do this or that).You see, I am not a follower. (And disobedience is such great fun! )Best wishes,Bernhard.