How to enjoy practicing.

[bernadette60614]

Now that I'm studying seriously, I have certain goals my teacher has set for me to achieve each week, not only in learning pieces of music, but learning theory.

I must admit, it was more fun when I could just pound away.

How do I learn to enjoy practicing in this new way? I read recently that Lang Lang was practicing 6 hours a day at age 5, and am chagrined that I at 10x that age find it hard work to practice 2.

Thank you everyone.

[dogperson]

First, why are you using Lang Lang as a practice model?  Watch his video about his life, and you will see that his was forced  practice demanded by his father, and he hated his childhood.

If you think you need to be practicing six hours, examine how you are practicing; you can make it efficient where you make significant progress in a short period of time. Six hrs is not needed,

In order to enjoy practice you must enjoy the process:  focus on the small problem sections and take satisfaction when they are no longer problems.  Stop to  ackknowledge success. I use post-it note flags to mark the ‘needs work’ Parts... I focus on those parts and love seeing the flags go away. Set small goals and celebrate when you reach them.

[outin]

For me it's imperative that I find whatever I practice interesting and worth the trouble. So basically So these days I only practice music that I like and whatever is needed to play it. Problem solving can be enjoyable as itself for me, but I'd rather solve problems that I feel need to be solved. Also I cannot handle boredom very well. Whenever I get bored I need to stop or find a different task.

The only times I seriously felt like quitting my piano studies due to not wanting to practice at all were when I picked up/was given pieces that I could not relate to at all. People have different sources of motivation, for me it's the music. After all I never started lessons to learn to play the piano, but to learn to play good music on the piano

[mjames]

When I was 6 I would spend hours kicking a ball to our front gate by myself, I found that fun. Can't imagine doing that now at the age of 22. Kids are just like that.


Also, you don't have to practice 6 hours a day for reasonable progress. If you really intend to, it's imperative you break it apart throughout the day and have breaks in between.

[brogers70]

Now that I'm studying seriously, I have certain goals my teacher has set for me to achieve each week, not only in learning pieces of music, but learning theory.

I must admit, it was more fun when I could just pound away.

How do I learn to enjoy practicing in this new way? I read recently that Lang Lang was practicing 6 hours a day at age 5, and am chagrined that I at 10x that age find it hard work to practice 2.

Thank you everyone.

That depends on what sort of things you enjoy, I guess. You might try just enjoying the satisfaction of reaching the goals for the week; or if that's not reinforcing enough, break down the goals into sub-goals so that you can master at least one or two of the sub-goals every day.

If that sort of thing doesn't motivate you, maybe you could try to take a short phrase that involves one of the goals of the week and try to play it as musically and beautifully as possible.

What works for me is to get my daily boost from mastering small technical things, and then from time to time to experiment and see how they've helped me play more musically. I think that the greater the extent to which you can get enjoyment from overcoming small challenges every day, the easier it will be to stay motivated. And I agree that you shouldn't worry too much about the number of hours.

[nastassja]

Hello  

It is one thing to learn the piano as a child, and another one as an adult. Our goals and physical abilities are not the same at age 5, 25 or 50. You could possibly injure yourself if you don't have the proper technique (and talking about Lang Lang, he has tendinitis despite his intensive training and years of experience, so right now he cannot perform the way he used to, and he teaches with his right hand).

Having a teacher will probably help you improve, but it might be frustrating at first because he/she will have to go over the basics and will probably limit your repertoire to what he/she thinks is best for you. It will probably take a few months to figure out whether you make progress with your teacher. Some teachers are excellent at teaching young children but not so good with adults; the opposite is also true. And even a top-notch teacher renowned to train famous artists could be extremely frustrating to work with if both of you have a different goal. You will probably be able to enjoy practicing again when your goals and your teachers' goals somewhat align.

[indianajo]

I've been afraid to submit to a teacher the last 40 years.  The goals of music academies and my goals are rather different, I'm afraid.  I would suspect the teachers available to me would try to fit me into the program. Performing like Mozart or Chopin leaves me cold. The repretoire of the Van Cliburn competition as shown on PBS left me unimpressed, except the Stravinsky is kind of cool.   Where I can fit academia is in an appreciation of Godowsky, Lecuona, Moussorgski, Gershwin, Debussy, de Falla.  A little Beethoven perhaps, but not too much.  Say the never heard Arabesques. 
Where I would like development is in learning something completely non-academic, ie the popular "by ear" style of people such as the back up pianists for 1950's artists Chuck Berry or that 1947 Muddy Waters cut.  I might be able to find instruction of that sort at Belmont in Nashville, but I can't afford to live there. 
My 1950-60's teacher was good at finding repretoire I'd never heard of that fit my style.  She gave me enough theory to get by, just. And enough exercises to improve the flexibility and strength of my fingers.  But she actually refused to be involved with my desire in 1966 to learn to play "Riders in the Sky" by ear, instead of those dippy music store arrangements. 
If your lessons are helping you play pieces you want to, great.  If not, back off, IMHO.  6 hours a day is too much for a hobby.  Unless you're going to compete and win in competitions, which is certainly not my goal. I just think the live piano sounds better than music on the stereo, and I have a few interpretation innovations which I find personally pleasing.   

[xdjuicebox]

Ling Ling practices 40 hours a day!

Lol jk, on a serious note...

...you have to learn to enjoy the /most basic action/ of what it is you're doing. For me, I absolutely love the feeling of my fingers on the keys, the sound I get in return, and the process of trying to make them sync.

If you really enjoy the most fundamental motion of depressing the keys on the piano and making sound, you'll enjoy your practice no matter what.

My old teacher used to just have me play one note, pedal held down, and to just listen to the note until it decayed completely. We really focused on my bond with the instrument, and I think that really, really helped me.

If you're curious, when I practice (if I practice lol been busy recently), a lot of my practice is insanely slow (like quarter - half tempo) practice, but it never gets boring because I love the feeling of making sound.

[bernadette60614]

I can see that.  In a way (and true pianists, please don't flame me), playing an instrument is the ultimate video game, since you are in control of every action.

[mcwilson]

Hmm. I look at it like this: If you hate practicing the piano, then find another job/hobby/profession. It's like wanting to become a surgeon without the training.... just my personal opinion.

[mjames]

Hmm. I look at it like this: If you hate practicing the piano, then find another job/hobby/profession. It's like wanting to become a surgeon without the training.... just my personal opinion.

Idiotic advice. Just because she's struggling to find joy in her practicing doesn't mean she should quit. To use your comparison, medical students don't exactly find much joy in medical school either. Don't put out negative advice if you're an inexperienced simpleton.

[mcwilson]

Idiotic advice. Just because she's struggling to find joy in her practicing doesn't mean she should quit. To use your comparison, medical students don't exactly find much joy in medical school either. Don't put out negative advice if you're an inexperienced simpleton.

Let's get one thing straight: there is no need for your nasty comment, if anyone is an inexperienced simpleton then it's you. I never wrote or insinuated she should quit. We'll just leave it at that.

[adodd81802]

I'm not reading the previous posts as it seems off topic.

I have went through stages of having a piano teacher, I've had a couple that I really connect with and a couple that aren't really speaking my "language"

I have made a conscious effort to find a piano teacher that can almost tailor their lessons and my improvement based on what I mostly enjoy. Accepting the fact there will be some lessons I don't enjoy as much, but still find value in them.

Of course this leaves a couple gaps in my playing but improving at the piano is so granular, the end goal should not be to be able to play everything, but to be able to play what you enjoy, therefore you enjoy practising.

I compare it to school how you come to the realisation that the dibs and dabs of geography and art and history you learnt and quickly forget as you get older and have little to no interest in these subjects, but it is the things you enjoy that you retain.

To conclude my best suggestion is that you don't hesitate to trial a couple of piano teachers until you find one that proposes lessons and plans that you really enjoy.

[dogperson]

Hmm. I look at it like this: If you hate practicing the piano, then find another job/hobby/profession. It's like wanting to become a surgeon without the training.... just my personal opinion.

Since you didn’t intend this post to mean the OP should quit the piano as a hobby,  why don’t you clarify what you did intend?   

[bernadette60614]

Hmm. I look at it like this: If you hate practicing the piano, then find another job/hobby/profession. It's like wanting to become a surgeon without the training.... just my personal opinion.

I think that inevitably in learning any new skill there is a long period of suckiness. And, then fleeting moments with glimpses of mastery, additional moments of suckiness, and then longer moments of mastery.

So, I think perhaps you have helped me to answer my own question, for which I thank you....

[themeandvariation]

Hey, Adodd, you mention:
".. come to the realisation that the dibs and dabs of geography and art and history you learnt and quickly forget as you get older and have little to no interest in these subjects, but it is the things you enjoy that you retain."

I get what you mean, regarding 'interest', but, your statement presupposes (perhaps not intentionally) that art, history, and even geo. have nothing much to do w music...
I would posit that there is a strong relationship of such, as it relates to composition.. There is a context there, that can give a fuller understanding and appreciation to the work in question.. Though, not necessary, but can be very interesting, and affecting.  Besides, sometimes it is good to rethink discarded subjects - such as art.

[pianoplunker]

Now that I'm studying seriously, I have certain goals my teacher has set for me to achieve each week, not only in learning pieces of music, but learning theory.

I must admit, it was more fun when I could just pound away.

How do I learn to enjoy practicing in this new way? I read recently that Lang Lang was practicing 6 hours a day at age 5, and am chagrined that I at 10x that age find it hard work to practice 2.

Thank you everyone.

As a love-hater of practice, I feel the redemption comes from the abililty to "pound"  away much better and with more control and knowledge. But as far as how to enjoy practice I never really have "enjoyed". I can easily find excuses not to practice; like I need to move some heavy boulders around my yard, I need to re-arrange my shoes in my closet, etc
but I always come back to hard-work = reward. Gotta talk myself into using that at the Piano sometimes. If you find practicing to be sometimes tedious, and  frustrating,  I think you are not alone.   

[adodd81802]

Hey, Adodd, you mention:
".. come to the realisation that the dibs and dabs of geography and art and history you learnt and quickly forget as you get older and have little to no interest in these subjects, but it is the things you enjoy that you retain."

I get what you mean, regarding 'interest', but, your statement presupposes (perhaps not intentionally) that art, history, and even geo. have nothing much to do w music...
I would posit that there is a strong relationship of such, as it relates to composition.. There is a context there, that can give a fuller understanding and appreciation to the work in question.. Though, not necessary, but can be very interesting, and affecting.  Besides, sometimes it is good to rethink discarded subjects - such as art.

Hello, thanks for your response. I should admit I unintentionally used an example that could directly be compared with music which was not a good idea.

I guess another example would be how you have mechanics. Mechanics is a huge area of study, some could train purely in space ships, some in cars, some in planes, trains, e.t.c. there would be little use studying the mechanics of everything if your only intention was to study cars.

Sure it's important to know of the alternative ways of vehicles work, but to study in them? no.

I compare the study of the piano alone to such a subject. There is little need to study every composer and learn ALL the theory if your end goal differs from another's.

While a piano teacher may be good at teaching, I have not yet met a piano teacher that doesn't have a specific field of expertise, and so I believe it possible to find one that matches your own.

I remember I had lessons with an elderly Polish lady, very talented, had a nice Yamaha baby grand. First time I went to her lesson, I noticed she had a Portrait and Quote of chopin, and I knew I had found a teacher that would I would share my personal interests with.

But then she got me to sing. And that was the end of that!

[themeandvariation]

Not to belabor the point, but I find your analogy:
"...some could train purely in space ships, some in cars, some in planes, trains, e.t.c. there would be little use studying the mechanics of everything if your only intention was to study cars." -
to be more akin to learning another instrument..
What I'm talking about is context in which the piece was written..
But, to each, their own.
Cheers, man.

 

[adodd81802]

Yes you could also say that, lol

I guess my overall point is, let your end goal decide your road to get there. If you're a hobby pianist, you're most free to do this, and even then for professional pianists we have "go-to" pianists for certain Composers... Do any of us recall Glen Gould playing much from the romantic era? If you love Beethoven, play Beethoven, If you love baroque music only, play that, for me, particularly, it's Chopin.

And what should be understood is that whist all of these different composers and styles of music do share similar required skills, there are specific skills more regularly called upon and refined with certain composers and styles of music that can narrow your practice and areas of study.

[bronnestam]

Now that I'm studying seriously, I have certain goals my teacher has set for me to achieve each week, not only in learning pieces of music, but learning theory.

I must admit, it was more fun when I could just pound away.

How do I learn to enjoy practicing in this new way? I read recently that Lang Lang was practicing 6 hours a day at age 5, and am chagrined that I at 10x that age find it hard work to practice 2.

Thank you everyone.

Bernadette, I am writing this from a piano summer school in Manchester, England, which I attend this week. It is my 4th round here, and there are many many other students who regularly come back, year after year.
What is so special and wonderful with this place is the friendly atmosphere, completely lacking prestige thinking. Everyone who loves to play the piano, or even just listen to piano playing, is welcome. In the faculty there are many concert pianists of internation reputation, who not only give you lessons, but also entertain us all with fantastic performances every evening.
I can tell you one thing - it is quite hard NOT to become inspired here. I practice until I get totally dizzy, and I explore many wonderful grands that are exhibited here. (It is quite nice to practice on a concert grand in top condition, in a concert hall with good acoustics ...)

So while I am here, I cannot understand people who claim that practice is "boring" and something you have to force yourself to do. If you seek motivation and inspiration, go to a place like this, and have the time of your life.

On the other hand, I know that it is a bit different when you are home. If you are an amateur, it means that your life is filled with other tasks and responsibiities. It does not matter if you have a job, are unemployed and look for a job, have retired from working due to health and/or age, or whatever. Being an amateur does NOT mean that you have to be grateful for the "crumbs" spilled at you, or cannot surpass a certain level of skill etcetera. It just means that your income comes from something else than piano playing.
So forget about Lang Lang and his 6 hours. He aimed to become a professional from early age (or maybe his parents did it for him, poor guy). He must play the piano for a living. You don't have to, or am I wrong here?
Also, if you find your assignments boring you should ask yourself if they really are necessary for you. If the answer is yes, then you will probably find your motivation rather soon again. Personally, I cannot take lessons every week due to my work load (I am a freelancer) and sometimes I have to lay my piano playing aside for a while. De-prioritize, that is. But that is OK with me, I don't to feel any pressure and stress - I play for my own personal development and satisfaction, not because I want to be admired or make money on it. And being stressed is not good for my personal development, ok?

So I would say, follow your heart. If it tells you that you don't want to do this today, then don't. Maybe you need to take a long walk instead, or whatever. It should be fun to be at the piano, you should long for next practice session.

[yadeehoo]

Sometime i'm having trouble enjoying my ice cream.  I feel you

[j_tour]

I love practicing.

Mental work on devising new patterns in scales, plus the sense of accomplishing something.

For me, about 20 minute bursts at a time is about good -- I couldn't imagine working eight hours non-stop, especially on technical exercises. 

Also, practicing arm-movements (shoulders, arm-leading, wrist-rotation, keeping in mind the tendons in the fingers) while doing ordinary stuff is fun.

Not as annoying as those guys playing "air guitar."

Although playing "air organ" probably looks a little strange.

[agajewski]

I love practicing when I see skills advance. Comparing myself to what I was a year ago gives me a drive to continue practicing. This also makes practices enjoyable and fun. Once you award yourself with awe for playing something you didn't think you can play is the key.

[sucom]

At first sight, seeing the question "How to enjoy practicing" made me remember those students who used to come for lessons who clearly didn't enjoy piano practice.  For me, not enjoying practice suggests that it may be better not to continue the piano but find an alternative hobby because playing the piano is exactly the same as practicing the piano.  The two are one thing.  If you don't enjoy practice, you are never going to really enjoy playing.

However, I mentioned this was my first instant reaction to your post.  After some thought, it brought me back to how I used to enjoy practicing the piano when I was very young, playing all kinds of music that inspired me to learn more.  But then music college set in, and some self-discipline had to come into play.  A lot of the music I was learning I thoroughly enjoyed.  But not all of it!  There were definitely pieces I most certainly did not enjoy and they were a bind.  But I used to think of it like this:  Some (a lot of, but I didn't like to admit this) self-discipline and hard work is absolutely necessary if one is to gain the freedom to fly freely with the music.  The tools have to be in place, the practice has to be done but once done, the pianist can run free with the music, allowing the music to take them to far greater heights than they ever thought possible.

The only way to be free to express something to the point where it takes you 'out of this world' is to discipline yourself sufficiently to fine-tune your tools.  It's not always enjoyable doing this, but you could say that it is worth it for the end results!

And also, don't forget to continue playing other music which inspires you whenever you get the opportunity.  This is VERY IMPORTANT.  On a scale of 1 to 10, I would put it at 12. 

[coolpianoman]

In my judgement if you can manage 2 hours a day every day you would be doing pretty well. OK it can be boring but try to focus on listening and finding the joy in every note - even the scales - well actually especially the scales.  Its there if you listen very carefully