Advice requested: practice methods for re-developing technique

[four_ballades]

Hi all,

I haven't posted on here in a while, but I'm seeking some advice from for re-developing my technique. Let me explain what I mean by this.

I studied the piano very seriously from age 5 to 16, playing numerous full length recitals, etc. I wasn't a prodigy, but I was good enough to study at my local university from age 10 or so onward. Then I went to boarding school (which had a great music program) and had two bad (in my opinion) teachers in a row that seriously damaged my interest in playing the piano.

I then quit for 4 years, only picking it back up in my junior year of college. I picked it up gradually, but eventually regained some of my old form on my own. However, I wasn't taking lessons, and I undoubtedly developed some bad habits, technically. Some of it has to do with tension and concentration, but nothing dire.

I then entered a conservatory for my masters degree (in Theory), and saw my skills improve greatly, but again, I felt my technique lacked polishing. Nonetheless, I was playing difficult rep by the end of my masters (Bach preludes and fugues, a few Beethoven sonatas, a selection of Chopin preludes, etudes, scherzi, ballades, and some of the late Brahms works). I never felt totally comfortable playing these pieces though, and I'm looking to take a step back and develop a practice regimen that will bring my technique up to speed. I do realize these are difficult works.

Do any of you have recommendations of returning to simpler material to work these kinks out? I'm dealing with some issues of tension/relaxation, smooth phrasing, and general speed. I also have some issues with concentration--just focusing on the music rather than thinking about technique. My composition teacher (who is himself a pianist) recommended going back to Bach inventions and working on them slowly and methodically, but perhaps there are other pieces/methods/practice routines worth considering? This is more of a reprogramming issue, so I'd love to hear if any of you have experience in this area.

I really appreciate any guidance. Thank you!

-Sam

[anamnesis]

How we learn as adults is completely different than how we learn as children.  You are much more conscious and self-aware then you were back then.  

Figuring out what you are actually doing at the piano versus what you should be doing is much more important than any particular routine.  As your mental model of how to play improves you also have to develop the sensations and cues needed to bring about those results consistently.  

Education of the physical self and how it interacts with the piano to produce intended aural results is important at this stage.  You might look into the Taubman method, Alexander technique, or Feldenkrais for example. Everyone is a little bit different in what they may actually need.  Personally I found a combination of Taubman and Abby Whiteside's pedagogy the most useful. 

[four_ballades]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. This is exactly the type of answer I was looking for. I've heard about Alexander technique before, but I've never explored these others. I will do some research!

Thank you again for your help.

[louispodesta]

How we learn as adults is completely different than how we learn as children.  You are much more conscious and self-aware then you were back then.  

Figuring out what you are actually doing at the piano versus what you should be doing is much more important than any particular routine.  As your mental model of how to play improves you also have to develop the sensations and cues needed to bring about those results consistently.  

Education of the physical self and how it interacts with the piano to produce intended aural results is important at this stage.  You might look into the Taubman method, Alexander technique, or Feldenkrais for example. Everyone is a little bit different in what they may actually need.  Personally I found a combination of Taubman and Abby Whiteside's pedagogy the most useful. 

Great advice, which should also contain a combination of all of these methods.  In my opinion, that is the technique philosophical discipline of Dr. Thomas Mark.

With three degrees in philosophy from Columbia University (U.S.), he has integrated all of these methods without asking the prospective student to re-visit their prior years of traditional technique scales/arpeggios/broken chords or exercises.

That is a big deal.  Either you live in one world of constantly chasing your tail forever (like I did for decades) or you move on to a more scientific methodology, in regards piano technique.  Taubman/Golandsky is a great start, but it is by no means a final answer, in my opinion.

In his book, "What Every Pianist Need To Know About The Body," Thomas Mark delineates the basic muscle, bone, ligament, tendon structure of the human body as it relates to the playing of the piano.  That is why practically every Keyboard Department Chair in the U.S. has a copy of his book in their personal library.

There are no muscles in the OP's fingers, nor anyone else's.  Therefore, if anyone desires to quit wasting thousands of daily hours playing useless scales/arpeggios/broken chords or exercises, they may contact me by PM for further comment.
 

[four_ballades]

Thank you for this further info. I think I want to find a combination of these methods that work and perhaps begin studying with a teacher again. I feel like no matter how many books I read on the subject, nothing will replace having someone there making me accountable in the practice room.

[visitor]

Usually the most obvious and straightforward approach should be attempted first.
Why not do what you did ti aquire techniqur and proficiency in the first place?
Go through amd relearn your pieces and tech patterns and etudes from the padt. You already had instruction and learned them correctly so without guidqnce from a teacher st the moment that is the safest bet and will be the most effective for the time being

[richardb]

For developing technique there are old threads here with lots of great advice. For example in this one
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=18553.0b there are links by Bernard to developing technique.  It may be that you have already searched the forum and are aware of all this already .  Also you asked not about developing technique, but re-developing technique, so these may or may not be helpful for you.

Richard