practising piano

[dave_clifford]

Just curious, how much time you all spend on practising piano? Now I am spending almost 4 hours a day to practise my piano. 30 minutes is used for warming up like playing scale or some arpeggios and the time remained is used for practising piece, which is sonata in f minor, op 2 no1. I already use 3 hours to practise the first movement of the piece and I found that I don't have much time to practise the following movement since I must revise for my upcoming school examination.

Can you all give me some advise? thanks

[stephenv]

Hi..from Texas:  Ok, like you I practice 4 or so hours per day.  I use the first two hours on technical stuff...scales, arpeggios and finger exercises..misc. by Dohnanyi for now. 

This is the Beethoven Sonata Op2, No. 1  Have you thought about the opening few measures harmonically the dom 7th in the 3rd measure going to the G after the triplet pattern.  Seems Beethoven is building toward the (FF) f min chord with the high c at the top.  To get to this place Beethoven seems to back track af few times then moves forward...to get momentum to arrive dramatically...the high c (which you really want to Plant so to speak when you get there ..roll the chord TO the c.   Its this kind of thinking that is essential as well as the technical work..whew...Beethoven always seems to include a lot variety..in this opening movement I see "ablerti bass" figures, ornamental triplets, octaves, scale work in eigth notes, trills, syncopated passages..everything to keep you hopping technically speaking.

I'm not sure of your approach or the difficulties you might or might not encounter.   You do have the "classical" style to project in this early sonata...not a lot of pedal used...detached notes (non-legato) So much...but the pay off is the beauty of this peice.  I have worked on this for a long time..I enjoy it so much.  I use the British Edition: The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.  Edited by Harold Craxton.   If you have the chance to read Musical Interpreation by Tobias Matthay ..you might learn a great deal.  Cheers

[dave_clifford]

stephenv: Wow, you are talking a lot of technical style here, I am having a hard time digesting it. But still, I think I am using the same version as yours which is the ABRSM. I must note that I am very bad in music theory, though i am preparing for dipabrsm, my theory still stuck at grade 5, now I am working hard for both theory and practical. I have only realised the importance of music theory this year and currently read a lot of books about music theory.

Anyway, i wanna ask about the introduction of this piece, the editor say the statement of the theme is quiet at first, and does not rise to more than a melodic climax. What does 'melodic climax' mean?

*I feel stupid to ask this kind of question lol*

[nataliethepianist]

I only practice an hour or so. I wish I could practice more, but I don't take theory and I am only learning (and finishing up) one piece at the moment. Once I start more than one piece and ask my new teacher for technique and theory, I am looking to practice about 2 hours (I'm in school)

[dave_clifford]

@nataliethepianist

I also wish that I can practice more, since practice makes perfect. These days I have made some research about practising, and found that one of the most famous pianist like Glenn Gould claimed that he barely practiced piano, but preferring to study the music. So now I plan to play the music in my head or study the music sheet when I am not in front of the piano. I also change my practice routine, from playing one piece at a time to 2-3 pieces daily to have different periods so I do not nod off in front of the piano, playing only one piece is boring when you keep repeating the same line.

(I am also in school )

[rmbarbosa]

Piano playing is more a matter of our mind than a matter of our hands. So one must study (practice) a piece - or some more difficult bars  - only <> 20 minutes/day. After <>20 minutes, it`s a lost of time because our mind needs time to process the information. On the other hand, when we face with a technical difficulty, we must try to play it 7 times. If we cant resolve after these 7 times, we must divide that passage in 2 parts and try to play each part. After 20 minutes, we must go to other piece structurally different, if possible. Between one and the other, 5 ou 10 minutes of rest. The next day, after a good sleep, we will see the good results of this method.
You may wish to read a wonderful post of Bernhard about this.
Best wishes
rui

[coffee_guy]

Piano playing is more a matter of our mind than a matter of our hands. So one must study (practice) a piece - or some more difficult bars  - only <> 20 minutes/day. After <>20 minutes, it`s a lost of time because our mind needs time to process the information. On the other hand, when we face with a technical difficulty, we must try to play it 7 times. If we cant resolve after these 7 times, we must divide that passage in 2 parts and try to play each part. After 20 minutes, we must go to other piece structurally different, if possible. Between one and the other, 5 ou 10 minutes of rest. The next day, after a good sleep, we will see the good results of this method.
You may wish to read a wonderful post of Bernhard about this.
Best wishes
rui

this is probably the best advice I have read on this forum. It is exactly true. My teacher (a concert pianist) has drilled this into my head from day one.

[dave_clifford]

Piano playing is more a matter of our mind than a matter of our hands. So one must study (practice) a piece - or some more difficult bars  - only <> 20 minutes/day. After <>20 minutes, it`s a lost of time because our mind needs time to process the information. On the other hand, when we face with a technical difficulty, we must try to play it 7 times. If we cant resolve after these 7 times, we must divide that passage in 2 parts and try to play each part. After 20 minutes, we must go to other piece structurally different, if possible. Between one and the other, 5 ou 10 minutes of rest. The next day, after a good sleep, we will see the good results of this method.

I agree, resting enough is important for brain to have chance to process the information it studys, thanks, I will using your method

[dcstudio]

I agree, resting enough is important for brain to have chance to process the information it studys, thanks, I will using your method

love rmbarbosa 's method -- think I will share that with my students.  I forget to tell them things like that at times.  That's why I come here--to learn. 

[pianoman53]

love rmbarbosa 's method -- think I will share that with my students.  I forget to tell them things like that at times.  That's why I come here--to learn. 

And to heal our very angry and unhappy souls ofc

[dcstudio]

yes pianoman--to heal. thanks
 
knew you would come around...

[rmbarbosa]

It`s important to say that this is not "my method". I learned it with a Bernhard`s post. And I use it. And I know it works.
Best wishes
rui

[dave_clifford]

Reply rmbarbosa,

Even it is not your method, I still want to thank you for introducing this way to me and other people. Thanks 

[alsimon]

It`s important to say that this is not "my method". I learned it with a Bernhard`s post. And I use it. And I know it works.
Best wishes
rui

Unfortunately a lot of Berhard's posts aren't active anymore!