Practice routine

[pasnu]

Hi, I was wondering what is a good practice routine? What exercises should I practice? Currently I practice scales, chords and songs. What can I add to that, what do you practice?

[pianowolfi]

You might want to start practicing pieces  

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

I typically do some sight reading and ear tests at the end of my practice session... And I second pianowolfi's suggestion 

[kitty on the keys]

Yes............Singers sing songs! The rest of us play pieces!

  Stretches.....scales...chords....etudes.....pieces

Kitty on the keys

[nataliethepianist]

Here is what I practice, as far as technique goes:

- arpeggios

- scales (melodic / harmonic)

- Diminished / augmented chords

Than of course I practice my pieces!

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Here is what I practice, as far as technique goes:

- arpeggios

- scales (melodic / harmonic)

- Diminished / augmented chords

Than of course I practice my pieces!

Oh yes I love arpeggios!  
Also scales separated by different intervals (for example, C major scale starting on E in the left hand, C in the right hand), and octave scales are really helpful...  I admit I used to avoid them, but they are quite useful to know

[nataliethepianist]

I actually wish I was learning the scales a third and sixth apart. It is not part of my technique right now, so I could ask! They seem difficult, though.

[m1469]

Speaking as an "explorer" on the subject, I think there is a kind of extreme --but perhaps helpful-- attitude a person can take in practice, in the acceptance that we already have an artistic voice which reflects everything we know and everything we don't, everything we value and everything we are (or are not).  And, that everything about this voice is, in fact, audible, whether people are listening and can hear it or not.

The most efficient and result-producing practice routine is based in knowing exactly what quality and character of sound is required, and then exactly how to achieve that sound.  I believe this is a deep, deep process with infinite possibilities, and one which is directly tied to the subjects we may study individually about music, but also having to do with who we are innately.

So, knowing at any given time in your life what a good practice routine is for where you are at has to do with the ability to accurately assess where you actually are, where you are heading, and what you need at that precise moment to help you bridge "the gap" between those.  Obviously, a good teacher can be indespensable along these lines.  Sometimes more emphasis is needed in learning about shapes like chords and arpeggios, and their corresponding sounds, scales in various arrangements, technical concepts, instrumental-specific study, music history, music theory ... or lots of listening to other people, or personal growth in life.  

Because of the dynamic nature of our growth and development, as well as the actual endlessness of possibility in result, I find that my own practice routine changes and varies depending on circumstance.  However, I am finding that there are particular guidelines or principles that tend to govern my needs and corresponding routines.