Listening to Recordings of Yourself - Does it Encourage or Discourage You?

[atticus]

Hi all,

I wondered how often you record yourself playing and how much of your practice routine is spent listening to recordings of yourself playing? 

I just started recording myself (at home).  I found it very discouraging to listen to my own playing - is this common?  I heard so many unwanted accents, etc. that it was depressing...I was hoping to learn how others work with recordings and learn from them without getting too demotivated.

As always, any input is appreciated!

Thanks,
atticus

[leslieb547]

I've recently bought a Zoom H4 recorder with the same aim in mind and have now recorded a few 'sessions' on a grand piano in a Concert Hall (empty). I find that, as you say, every slight mistake, over pedalling, wrong accent, slight speed variation, etc., etc. stands out like a sore thumb. However, it has given me the incentive to persevere and try to iron out the problems. My aim is not commercial but to improve for the few recitals I am involved in each year and to produce some CDs for handing down to future family generations. So, yes, it is common to realise how much more work is needed for a good performance, but it is worth getting past the 'demotivation' stage. Good luck.

[Bob]

I record myself when I want to focus on hearing things better.  Just did last night in fact.  I didn't really notice any big surprises.  I think the extra attention off playing the piece left more attention for listening.  It really only seemed to exagerate and confirm what I already thought when I was actually playing. 

It may be that my mind was already thinking along those lines, so that's what I heard.  I was very aware when I hesitated and could that in the recording.  I noticed I was doing what I wanted, but there was plenty of room (and need) to do more with what I was doing.  More articulation, more accents, etc. 

I've made recordings of performances.  I like to have those just to have them.  Because I did them.  It's like a frozen snapshot in time.  Not perfect but nice to have as a reminder and to get it while I can or it's lost forever.  I have enjoyed listening to some of those after the performance elements have fadded away.

The most demotivating thing are are the mistakes you know you can't fix soon.  The ones that will take a lot of effort, that you don't quite know how go about attacking, that will take months or years.. or maybe never for getting fixed. 

I don't record a lot.  I was even thinking yesterday that it was really just telling me what I already knew.  I fixed a few mistakes, recorded again, and then was thinking, "Yeah, I know I just that one...."  But it changed up the practicing a little and gave me a chance to rest my playing chops while I was listening.  It kind of broke the practicing into sections -- play/record, listen/critique/find mistakes/plan next fix, practice the fix, and then record the new improved version.

I suppose the best way to not get demotivated is to know your playing and not delude yourself into thinking your better than you are.  That's setting you up for a shock.  On the plus side, if you're thinking the things but they aren't finding their way into your performance, all what you have to do (all what you have to do, yeah...) is make sure they actually make it into your playing. 

Some of the things I was adding worked, some didn't.  I did make decisions before that practice about what I was not going to attempt to fix.  The things that just aren't going to happen by performance time and are long term goals to experiment with and figure out.

[dan101]

Recording yourself builds strength of character and perspective. You're on ther right track.

[Bob]

Hopefully the right and left track. :p

[atticus]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses - I appreciate it!

atticus

[nyonyo]

After I think that I gain some improvement, I usually record my playing.
Fortunately, I have a Yamaha Disklavier so I can record and play back right away.
I think it is one of my favorite purchase in life. With this kind of piano, I can access the quality of my playing objectively.

There were times that I just want to give up playing piano, but there were also times that I was very impressed by how good my playing was.

Many times, I cannot really hear the accent or certain ugly things while I was playing. Or I sometimes like to experiment by adding certain thing to my playing. If I do not have this Disklavier, I will be too lazy to record and listen...etc.

[dana_minmin]

I find that, as you say, every slight mistake, over pedalling, wrong accent, slight speed variation, etc., etc. stands out like a sore thumb. However, it has given me the incentive to persevere and try to iron out the problems.

Exactly!!! And I found that it's harder than imagine to record a piece in one shot without mistakes, wrong notes at least. I brought my first recorder last week, and after listening to the recordings I'm suprised that I was playing faster than I thought. I think recorder is a must for refining techniques.

to produce some CDs for handing down to future family generations.

Same thought here.  Last night my dad asked whose album is it when I was listening to my first satisfactory recording. It feels great, and it's encouraging.

[nyonyo]

Same thought here.  Last night my dad asked whose album is it when I was listening to my first satisfactory recording. It feels great, and it's encouraging.

Make sure you save the CD....Someday when you are not able to play like what you just recorded, it will be a very good thing to have. Nostalgia....I guess...

[pianochick93]

I havn't tried recording myself yet, but I probably should, as I will be able to hear whether I sound like I think I sounds. (Not sure if that is a good or a bad thing!)

[Bob]

Make sure you save the CD....Someday when you are not able to play like what you just recorded, it will be a very good thing to have. Nostalgia....I guess...

Yes.  Sometimes I have found something and then realized it was mine.  I did that, it hits me.  Very cool to impress yourself.  lol   Or it's just a sign I'm losing it...

[dana_minmin]

Make sure you save the CD....Someday when you are not able to play like what you just recorded, it will be a very good thing to have. Nostalgia....I guess...

sigh... I have my one and only one satisfactory recording stucked in the recorder, not able to export it before my recorder fails. The bad thing is I can never get back my recordings. The good things are I can exchange it for a new one and make better recordings.

I think I should make some backups.