Looking for a good routine

[mapleleafsonata]

Let me start off with a brief introduction.  I began playing piano about 6 months ago.  For the first 3-4 months, I learned a few easy songs like Fur Elise by ear.  I decided, after some research, that it would be a good idea to get a formal music instructor, so that I did; I've been taking lessons for about 6 weeks now.  Over the course of the 6 weeks I've learned Maple Leaf Rag and began learning Bach's first invention via sheet music.

I was wondering if I could get some opinions on the best way to become a well rounded pianist.  I'm talking, if you could break up 3 hours of practice into specific segments (ie. scales, arpeggios, etc) What would your routine be?

Thanks in advance!

[mapleleafsonata]

Anyone?

[brogers70]

There's lots of good advice about practicing in www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,5767.0.html  from a fellow named Bernhard, who used to post here often.

[becky8898]

Hi : I dont know about a good routine but here is what I do.  I always start every practice session with a problem.  Some kind of problem.  Maybe fingering or interpertation, or memorizing but always some problem that I need to overcome.  I work on this one problem for about 15 minutes, over and over and over again. Then i work on my pieces and after i am done with my pieces at the end of my session , i choose scale and arpegio work designed to help me based on how my practice went on the pieces I was working on.  Then I finish up with some site reading and improvising with either popular or classical music.  Hope that helps

Cheers, Becky

[mapleleafsonata]

Hmm, that does help... thanks

[bleicher]

Plenty of other people here can comment better than me on a good practice routine so I won't say anything about that. Instead I'll say that it's good to aim to become a well-rounded musician as well as pianist. One of the best ways to do this is to join a choir, but any musical activity, especially group activity, will help you to develop your musicianship.

[musicluvr49]

Hello.

Well I wish I had three hours to practice everyday, Haha.  I only get two, but I guess I can give you some advice from my schedule. I spend the first 15 minutes or so doing scales and arpegios. I do one key signature every day, so for example: Today I did D major and B minor (Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic) I spend the next hour and a half playing my pieces. Then I spend the last 15 minutes or so just jammin (Improvising, Playing songs by ear etc.)

So yeah... Hopefully this helps a bit.