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Topic: Less Really is More  (Read 1912 times)

Offline in_love_with_liszt

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Less Really is More
on: September 13, 2004, 03:07:28 AM
I'm talking about practice. Yes. Practice. Less is definitely more, or at least that's what I'm finding. I used to practice 6-8 hours each day and thought I was improving greatly, and thought it was because I practiced so long each day. In fact I could have been much better than I was, because I practiced so much my hands got tired, stiff and sore easily, and finally the thing that made me realize I was going overboard was when I dislocated my left pinky while playing Godowsky's transcription of the Aeolian Harp etude. Now I've began practicing about 1 1/2 to 3 hours and my touch, resilliancy, and basically every aspect of my pianistic abilities has improved greatly. After dislocating my pinky it hurt too much to play for almost a week, and I was terrified that when I finally was able to play again my technique would be shot. This was far from the truth, the only thing that I can't play quite as well now are trills in thirds on 3-5 and 2-4, but I'm sure with some practice I can fix that. For all those out there that were just like me, thinking that practicing for hours on end will make you great, I hope you listen to me and my experience so that you may become better pianists yourselves!
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Offline Nightscape

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Re: Less Really is More
Reply #1 on: September 14, 2004, 05:48:21 AM
That's usually how much time I spend practicing.  Too much more than three hours would drive me insane!
I think it was Rubinstein who said that a pianist should never practice more than four hours a day, or else what from his life could he possibly use as inspiration?

It's true... if you spend your life at the keyboard, become it's slave, then you can never be its master.

Offline Tash

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Re: Less Really is More
Reply #2 on: September 14, 2004, 02:04:33 PM
i totally agree, well for me at least. i don't have time to practice for more than 3hours, in fact i don't have time to practice at all this week cos i'm getting home from uni between 7 ad 10.30pm every day (started playing my imaginary piano on the train and think i annoyed the people next to me with my hands moving all over the place!) but interestingly enough, i find that i play better in lessons when i've barely practiced all week! obviously i can't just not practice cos then i'd just forgot the pieces all together, but i'm not overpracticing anything, and i'm happy with the amount of practice i do.
'J'aime presque autant les images que la musique' Debussy

Offline jeff

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Re: Less Really is More
Reply #3 on: September 14, 2004, 04:47:36 PM
i'm glad someone brought this up. it's much much more worthwhile to focus on the quality of practice, before quantity.

Offline rph108

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Re: Less Really is More
Reply #4 on: September 16, 2004, 10:55:56 AM
I think it depends mostly on how efficient you are. I tend to lose concentration after a certain period of time. I find a short break can bring my focus back. Also, try not to play until your hands get worn out. Stop just before that and practice something else for a while.

Rubenstein was a very naturally gifted pianist. He didn't have to practice much because of his huge amount of natural ability. He also didn't have the greatest technique ever. Most other famous pianists practiced pretty much all the time and were perfectionists. Their schedule was efficient and developed over time.
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