Improving Self-Awareness

[chopianista]

Hi! I've been playing piano for a while now, but only have been taking lessons for the past two years. I've realized that I have pretty bad self-awareness when I pick up new pieces - that is, I don't hear or see so many of the mistakes I make with phrasing or especially, with pedaling. I realize that's what I pay my teacher to point out to me during lessons, but what are some ways of becoming more self-conscious when I practice?

[derschoenebahnhof]

1) Record yourself with a video camera or an audio recorder 
2) Listen, improve and go back to step 1.

The camera is even better because you can notice whether you are comfortable with a given section or not, whether you make unnecessary movements, etc.

Some video cameras can be problematic, they have auto gain control, and they will flatten the dynamics. If you can find one with manual gain control, it would be better. I am sure devices like IPods equipped with a microphone also might have the same shortcoming. Or use a laptop with a good microphone, and control the input volume.

Cheers,
CG

[keypeg]

Work on small sections, maybe only a measure or less to begin with, and really listen from note to note.  Shift your attention from one thing to the other: the notes, the chords, the quality of each sound, how they blend or don't blend - get miniscule.  See if you are tuning out in between.  We usually spend most of our time thinking about other things when we do things, and only pull in our attention here and there.  It's a real eye opener.

[harrycolin]

chopianista best thing is that you yourself realize that you are lacking in consciousness, which is truly appreciable. You just need to work on your concentration, observation and try to do things by your own if not succeed then ask for help! I am sure you can do well as I did!

[dss62467]

My favorite way to learn a piece is to find a recording one of the masters playing it.  I do it with every piece assigned me (thank you Steve Jobs for iTunes!)   I listen to it to see how it's supposed to sound, then I start learning it.   When I think I'm good at it, I'll listen to the Master again and invariably I'll think, "OMG!  He plays it SO much better - I don't do that" in a certain place.  You get so used to hearing it how you play it, that you hear the difference under Brendel's or Barenboim's fingers.   Then I do my best to try to play like them.  Of course, I won't be able to - they're the masters for a reason, and I'm just a systems analyst in Western NY playing an upright with sticking keys.