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Topic: Adult Beginner Practice Question  (Read 2171 times)

Offline bernadette60614

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Adult Beginner Practice Question
on: February 01, 2013, 10:51:41 PM
I taught myself piano by using Alfred's books and moving onward to Bach Inventions, easier Chopin Preludes, easier early Mozart.

I recently began studying with a real teacher, who was trained at the Moscow Conservatory so that I might learn to become a pianist as opposed to someone who just "plays piano."

What is the best way for me to approach  practicing?  I  typically just practiced till it sounded right, but I know that now that I have to focus  on hand position, accuracy and expression that I just can't play my way through a piece.

Thank you!

Offline outin

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Re: Adult Beginner Practice Question
Reply #1 on: February 02, 2013, 05:22:05 AM
I taught myself piano by using Alfred's books and moving onward to Bach Inventions, easier Chopin Preludes, easier early Mozart.

I recently began studying with a real teacher, who was trained at the Moscow Conservatory so that I might learn to become a pianist as opposed to someone who just "plays piano."

What is the best way for me to approach  practicing?  I  typically just practiced till it sounded right, but I know that now that I have to focus  on hand position, accuracy and expression that I just can't play my way through a piece.


When it comes to technique, it's your teacher's job to tell you what needs to be changed (if anything). Accuracy comes from reading the music properly, your teacher will also help you with this. If something needs to be corrected in the way you play, the best advice is to take on completely new pieces and forget the ones you played before for a while. How to practice will depend on what needs to be done. Just try to follow your teacher's instructions even if they feel wrong in the beginning, because if one is used to doing something in one way, anything else will feel wrong at first. Accept that it will all happen in small steps and be prepared for moments of frustration  :)

EDIT:
Nothing wrong with focusing on the sound, if it sounds right you are probably doing it right (unless in strain). Some things are better learned by focusing on sound than by learning mechanical tricks IMO. But you may learn to listen to you own playing in a more critical way.

Offline keypeg

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Re: Adult Beginner Practice Question
Reply #2 on: February 02, 2013, 05:58:07 AM
There is a trap when you join a teacher after having self-taught or even just if you have some background in music so that you can play some pieces on your own.  The trap is that it gives the impression that you have gotten training in basic things and now you are at a stage where you can learn to refine pieces and such.  But we actually need to know things that might be taken for granted.

Another thing that can happen is that a self-taught student goes to a teacher because of a reputation of being a good performer, and that teacher aims mostly to "finish" a student by working on pieces rather than laying foundations.

Like Outin says, you need to learn how to approach a piece, how to practice, and this should be coming from your teacher.

How have the lessons gone so far?  What do the lessons consist of?  You should be asking about this part, if you haven't.

Offline danhuyle

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Re: Adult Beginner Practice Question
Reply #3 on: February 02, 2013, 08:35:35 AM
If you're taking lessons from a teacher who was trained at Moscow Conservatory then you're in good hands.

Obviously this teacher has a massive repertoire, then they obviously know something worth mastering.

Good pianist = good teacher = excellent student.
Perfection itself is imperfection.

Currently practicing
Albeniz Triana
Scriabin Fantaisie Op28
Scriabin All Etudes Op8

Offline p2u_

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Re: Adult Beginner Practice Question
Reply #4 on: February 02, 2013, 09:00:12 AM
Good pianist = good teacher = excellent student.

Hi, Dan!

This is true only if the student him/herself is already a good (advanced if you like) pianist. Please read some more of keypeg's excellent posts. A good pianist is not necessarily a good teacher for students at ANY level. ;)

Paul
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No more pearls before swine...

Offline pianoman53

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Re: Adult Beginner Practice Question
Reply #5 on: February 02, 2013, 09:07:03 AM
Good pianist = good teacher = excellent student.
Simply not true. Everyone who've studied with any great teacher, not only music, knows that not all students becomes good pianists.

And the same with moscow conservatory. I know a few teachers there who I really don't think are good teachers.

Offline p2u_

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Re: Adult Beginner Practice Question
Reply #6 on: February 02, 2013, 09:28:03 AM
And the same with moscow conservatory. I know a few teachers there who I really don't think are good teachers.

I feel I have to defend them. ;)

This is true not only for Moscow. They are usually hired because of the good name they acquired as ARTISTS, not because of their teaching abilities. All they do is give "masterclasses". Students who enter the Conservatory are expected to have solved most problems themselves already. Among the teaching assistants to the professors, there are some fantastic teachers though! (which is true for most good conservatories all over the world)

Paul
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No more pearls before swine...

Offline keypeg

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Re: Adult Beginner Practice Question
Reply #7 on: February 02, 2013, 11:24:55 PM
If you're taking lessons from a teacher who was trained at Moscow Conservatory then you're in good hands.

Obviously this teacher has a massive repertoire, then they obviously know something worth mastering.

Good pianist = good teacher = excellent student.
A student who has had a solid foundation with years of studies can study with such a teacher.  A student with no foundation, who has self-taught for a few years, first needs to be given those foundations.  The student may need to be taught how to approach a piece.  The basics of practicing.  Maybe how to read notes.   Will your artist with massive repertoire, reading to impart the intricacies of interpretation, be able or willing to teach the very basics of playing?
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