Practice makes Perfect

[bachapprentice]

How many hours do you practice?

I just heard Valentina Lisitsa practice's 12 - 14 hours a day. And this is what she does for fun. If you want to be the best you need to put in the time.

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[m1469]

awesome, awesome.  Thank you for posting this!  She's a little bit a hero again for me and it makes me feel good and more normal that she practices so much and that piano is her life.  

[Derek]

Wow, I think I'd drop dead after about 3. I'm grateful that people who put that kind of time in exist, though, it provides something beautiful to listen to and also something to continually challenge me as a pianist.

[ted]

Would it be correct to assume that obese (wonder what happened to Tash, she had a delightful way with words) amounts of practice like this comprise mostly learning new repertoire ? It's the only thing I can think of, but not actually knowing any concert pianists I might be wrong. Surely it wouldn't be necessary for those people to do much technique practice once they reached a certain dexterity ?

[pytheamateur]

Would it be correct to assume that obese (wonder what happened to Tash, she had a delightful way with words) amounts of practice like this comprise mostly learning new repertoire ? It's the only thing I can think of, but not actually knowing any concert pianists I might be wrong. Surely it wouldn't be necessary for those people to do much technique practice once they reached a certain dexterity ?

Very interesting question.  My guess is that much of the practice time still goes towards maintaining technique and pieces already learnt.  Even for a concert pianist as technically accomplished as Lisitsa, he will still need to practise old pieces regularly if he wants to play them to performance standard.

For a piece I'm working on, I might know the notes a lot better than my teacher if he has not been practising the piece,  even though he is way ahead of me both musically and technically.

[keyboardkat]

My own teacher, Walter Hautzig, recommends practicing the difficult parts of old repertoire in order to keep them up.   Then, if you have to perform them again, relearning them won't take long or be too difficult.

[williampiano]

I don't practice the same amount every day. Some days I might only practice 20 minutes, where others I might practice 2 hours. I usually practice more when I have a recital, festival, concert etc. coming up (like today), where other times of the years when I am not exactly performing very much I don't practice much at all.

[pianoplayjl]

I only practice 1-1.5 hours even up to exam periods which sucks. I don't have the patience to practice 2 hours a day even though my teacher recommends it coming up towards exam periods.

[sevencircles]

I just heard Valentina Lisitsa practice's 12 - 14 hours a day. And this is what she does for fun. If you want to be the best you need to put in the time.

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Very few people can practice that much during a long time period. 14 hours every day is overpractice for sure.

Sometimes you can almost hear when a pianist has been overpractising. Kissin is a pianist that sounds a like  he has practised too much, Michelangeli was a bit like that sometimes too.

[pytheamateur]

Very few people can practice that much during a long time period. 14 hours every day is overpractice for sure.

Sometimes you can almost hear when a pianist has been overpractising. Kissin is a pianist that sounds a like  he has practised too much, Michelangeli was a bit like that sometimes too.

What are the characteristics of overpractising by concert pianists like Kissin?  Does the playing sound too mechanical?

For me as an amateur, overpractising occurs when I play through a piece too many times at tempo.  I used to do that a lot before school concerts and a lot of new mistakes would crop up.  Surely this is not what happens with someone like Kissin.

[lostinidlewonder]

I just heard Valentina Lisitsa practice's 12 - 14 hours a day.....

Maybe now and then but certainly not every day of her life, I don't think any pianist would be fooled into thinking that. I subjected myself to 9 hours a day for almost a month before and it certainly is not healthy to maintain for long periods. There are all sorts of problems with extended learning times, but most importantly is the "diminishing returns" you get from practicing long hours. Usually the first 3 hours are the most productive, any more after than tends to be merely less effective, the brain becomes saturated. Of course everyone is different but I really don't think admitting you do long hours of practice is something to be proud of. Being able to play brilliantly with effective use of your time and having a balanced life is however.

There is a point to not "over practicing", if you play one piece for say 10 hour a day for 1 month every day, then that piece is going to lose its freshness and your own inspiration to play the piece will wane no matter how much you love that piece. Most professional pianists understand when they have something solved, they do not need to be so insecure to play countless hours trying to improve what is already solid.

[pastlifepianist]

I agree with lostinidlewonder, especially about diminishing returns after a certain number of hours. I was advised by many fine teachers to not go over 4 hours per day (I did on average 2 a day when I played, only increasing to maximum 4 before competitions but only for a few weeks at a time - the most I clocked was 6 a day for the Schumann concerto), and to learn to practice smart instead of "long". The risk of repetitive strain injury also increases with longer hours of (not necessarily better or more productive) practice. I've seen many friends lose their wrists to physiotherapy because their teachers set them a minimum of 8 hours of repetitive, mechanical practice, and not emphasizing effective/efficient practice as well as practicing away from the keyboard.

[countrymath]

i´ve been practicing 1 hour a day because the lack of time, but I usually practice 4 to 5 hours.

[pianoplunker]

I agree with lostinidlewonder, especially about diminishing returns after a certain number of hours. I was advised by many fine teachers to not go over 4 hours per day (I did on average 2 a day when I played, only increasing to maximum 4 before competitions but only for a few weeks at a time - the most I clocked was 6 a day for the Schumann concerto), and to learn to practice smart instead of "long". The risk of repetitive strain injury also increases with longer hours of (not necessarily better or more productive) practice. I've seen many friends lose their wrists to physiotherapy because their teachers set them a minimum of 8 hours of repetitive, mechanical practice, and not emphasizing effective/efficient practice as well as practicing away from the keyboard.

I agree with this 100% and would add there is a difference between practicing and playing. If you are simply playing the piece over and over for two hours then you wont accomplish as much as you would if you turned on the metronome and worked it out slowly without looking at the keys

[survivor23]

The problem with Valentina is that the words she chooses, she has a tendency to come across with overly inflated claims. She doesnt practice 12 - 14 hours every single day.

When asked if she had other interests, and what she does for fun, she said she had no other interests, and piano was her fun. In the same interview, she talks about her love of chess, and following that as a sport.

In another interview, she said she took care of her child during the day, and then, she would practice at night I think between 12:00 - 3:30, which makes sense. She says she does the normal things during the day, cooking dinner, etc.

I dont think she practices 12 - 14 hours MOST days of the week. There are occassions when she probably does practice 12 hours, but she is a professional concert pianist. So there are other things to attend to, like her family, her schedule for traveling, talkign to teachers, etc..

She also talks about her "perfect" memory, and how "technique is easy, so I have to make it look hard" WHAT!??

[survivor23]

In short, I think all of this relative. And there are a lot of nuances that are probably being missed. Not everything is black and white. She probably practiced 12 - 14 hours daily,  the week she had a reality show, to prove how much she practices.

She seems to go through an unnecessary extent of "trying to prove this and that". I find that strange, defensive. He gets defensive over her videos "being sped up" or somehow doctored, but some of the videos, obviously they been manipulated. (not that I care) In one song, I think its Moonlight Sonata, he hair lengths are different, and the lighting seems to be done at different times. So what.

But then, she comes on these interviews, to refute the obvious.

I still love her, and think she is a wonderful pianist. I enjoy watching her play. I wish she wasnt as grandios with herself, and was more real. But I guess that would dampen her allure.

[survivor23]

BTW, what works for one person may be useless to someone else. When you read about the practice sessions of many famous pianists, their practice routines runs the gambit. Some do Hanon, and others think its a waste. There are obviously different skills sets too, like someone with a perfect photographic memory, remembers everything, and doesnt have to practice the piece. some people can play cold, at any time, anywhere in the piece, where others cant, and have to practice.

I myself say short sessions, but a lot of them, are the way to go. I work from home, so every hour I get in 10 minutes. during the day, and early evening. My progress has been astounding. Frankly, I rarely go over 1 hour in practice session.

[the89thkey]

First let me address the original question and say that it's generally around 6 hours (not all at once) for me.

[werq34ac]

No one should practice more than an hour if they are simply practicing for practice sake. That 2nd hour of practice is one you should be enjoying. Not that you shouldn't enjoy the first hour either. Practice is most effective when you find it intellectually and emotionally stimulating.

I don't think concert pianists practice technique for more than 30 minutes a day. Unless they really like scales for some reason. At that level they already have most of the technique and it really doesn't take much to maintain technique.

All well-established pianists practice slowly. I've been told that practice should be 99% slow practice. I'm not sure whether I should be doing that, but it's an interesting idea. Don't underestimate slow practice

survivor, it's interesting that you practice in 10 minute chunks. What exactly do you accomplish in each chunk? (I'm not doubting you, if you set a goal for each session, and have many sessions in a day, you can accomplish A LOT). In fact, a good way to practice is to set a goal, reach that goal, and set a new goal and repeat. Then you can make visible progress which is always nice.

[rmbarbosa]

Personally, I dont like Valentina Lisitsa. I do prefer Valentina Igoshina. Lisitsa is cold like ice and very mechanical, compaired with Igoshina.
I play <> 3 hours/day, but if I had time I would play <> 8 hours/day, like Igoshina does.

[wiggityp]

Yeah, based on everything I've seen and heard from Ms. Lisitsa, I would say that her practicing 14 hrs a day is a bonafide crock-o-sh*t. She probably did it one time, planned to do it again; and that way it is technically not a lie, however is still misleading. That sort of attitude just isn't present in the best artists, who play/practice for the sheer joy and satisfaction of doing so. I've heard Valentina's sob story about how she struggled and strained trying to make it, how she was passed over for a wedding gig in favor of a student from the local music school (as if it's so hard to believe that a student could be better than her) and how finally the world took her into their hearths and hearts via youtube. Well, that's very inspiring I'm sure, however it's still not justification for arrogant and somewhat pitiful claims--claims verbally through her interviews and through her braggadocio technical playing. While she told that heartwarming anecdote she was onstage in a black dress with a probably 15ft+ train on it. Prima-frakking-donna anyone? If she didn't waste her hard earned technique playing what and how she thinks people want her to and instead used her considerable pianistic resources to express her full rounded persona than the fact that she practices till she's blue in the face might actually be something to admire. As it is, if it's really true, than I pity her wasted hrs.

I completely side with the people who've commented on effective and efficient practice. I'm usually toast after about 3-3 1/2 hrs. However I do find that I can do two such blocks in the day as long as there is a good chunk of time in between. I find that I tend to do my grunt work in my daytime sesh and typically work on improvising and just generally playing and enjoying the fruits of my labor in the evening. Finding one's optimum practice regimen is not only a satisfying unique process/experience, but is crucial in the long run if one is to actualize their maximum potential abilities. Number of hrs spent practicing is arbitrary, compared to the ultimate gain of any given pianist at the end of the day. That being said I don't see how less than an hr of work a day (average) could maintain much less further, most pianists' skill.

[p2u_]

Practice makes Perfect

Not necessarily. It makes perfect only if it is in itself perfect practice. Practice makes Permanent. (c) is closer to the truth. This means that you get what you practise for. If it's high-quality practice, then the results will also be high-quality and long-lasting; if not, then you condition yourself for failure, and that's exactly what you'll get...
P.S.: I have a feeling Valentina really overdoes it, but I guess she knows better than all of us what works for her.

Paul

[lukejones1]

Correct practice can only make perfect. 

It is not only about physical practice, but also mental practice, knowing exactly what sound one wants to make and how the hand is prepared for each individual note. Balance of sound, layers etc. Practice should not just be a case of OK 12-14 hrs today.. should be more how can I sculpt/craft the notes to create 'my' ideal interpretation. And take as much time as it takes before you can honestly tell yourself you are satisfied with what you are doing. AND then rework try to examine the piece(s) as a whole try to discover layers within the music.

Luke

[rachmaninoff_forever]

To improve is to change; to Be perfect is to change often.

[j_menz]

To improve is to change; to Be perfect is to change often.

That would make my socks perfect. Not sure you'd get a telephone booth (do they still have those?) full of people who'd agree with that.

 

[tranquille]

How many hours do you practice?

I just heard Valentina Lisitsa practice's 12 - 14 hours a day. And this is what she does for fun. If you want to be the best you need to put in the time.

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If you listen to the interview again at 3.46 when specifically asked if she practices 12 -14 hrs a day, she replies "whenever I can " that could nr twice a week sometimes

[vsrinivasa]

I only have time to do something like 4 hours on a weekday and 5-6 on a good weekend. But this is efficient practice. I use my practice time well. I have friends who practice twice as much as me but are still not getting much better.

[lukejones1]

Always important to SCULPT. So easy to waste time.. I fall victim to it myself, something I am in due process to rectify immediately. So much can be achieved if every moment in practice is FOCUSED.. Michelangeli used to practice only a few bars for many hours a day for weeks on end, it is because he wants to achieve the sound he produces in his mind. Mere mortals however have to work a long time to even come close to that level of work.

[liug_2012]

5 minutes a day what's goooooood.....

[teran]

My productive practice amount is rather low.

What can I say, it's much more enjoyable to play beautiful things than struggle through learning a new piece and making it sound horrible.