Supplementary materials to one-to-one piano lessons

[zebra555]

I’ve noticed an advert on You Tube that promises to help with learning piano, one which seems to have a different focus to most. It’s called Play in the Zone and the author is Mark Morley-Fletcher - its focus is mental skills training and mindset rather than technical skills as such. It’s more designed for performance than learning and lessons, but nevertheless I wondered if this course might be useful for me such as for exams. On the other hand I do have reservations that the content might not be as useful as it sounds. The online reviews are good but I’m never sure whether they are genuine. So, my question is, has anyone here used this package and if so, what did you think?  Advanced piano players might also know what the sort of material that will be in it, and have a view too.  Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

I understand that any approach involves putting the effort in!

[lelle]

I have seen that ad but I don't know anything about if the course is worth your time and money. I don't want to say it won't be, as I am sure many online teachers have good intentions and valuable knowledge, and I don't want to say it will either, as there are many charlatans, ill-informed, or just plain not very knowledgeable people out there as well.

(People here might be hesitant to reply as occasionally people come here only to post thinly disguised ads for their own service/product and this post may give off the impression to be in the same vein. Looking at your post history, you look like a genuine user though! )

[zebra555]

Thanks for your reply and for putting me in the picture about how my post might have been perceived!  I didn’t think of it from an advertising point of view - actually I was slightly concerned that it might come across as casting negativity on a particular author based on no knowledge. I genuinely like to follow different teaching pianists on You Tube and lots of them help me in various ways; content from Graham Fitch would be an example. I asked about the specific one in my original post simply because I don’t know what sort of reputation the author has and whether the package is worth paying for. I will understand now, if I don’t receive any replies!

[anacrusis]

I think those whose courses I would personally be most inclined to trust would be those who have free material that's solid and has a proven track record of being helpful for me. Some people talk the talk but if you actually try their stuff you just end up more confused and don't see your problems improving that much. Then it might be time to look for someone else.

[dogperson]

I don’t know about the course but I recommend you subscribe to the free blog by
The bullet proof musician - a Juilliard prof who specializes in the mental.psch aspects of playing
A great book ‘The Perfect Wrong Note’  - William Westney 

[ranjit]

I’ve noticed an advert on You Tube that promises to help with learning piano, one which seems to have a different focus to most. It’s called Play in the Zone and the author is Mark Morley-Fletcher - its focus is mental skills training and mindset rather than technical skills as such.

I checked out his youtube channel. I would personally not pay for the information. There is better free advice out there. He is a good presenter, but much of what he's saying is pretty elementary.

I personally like Noa Kagayema's blog more. There are a bunch of other blogs and advice posted on Pianostreet (just do a search on this website). Also, check out Josh Wright, Graham Fitch, John Mortensen (aka cedarvillemusic), etc. on Youtube.

[lostinidlewonder]

I really believe in cognitive behavioral therapy and putting yourself into uncomfortable situations to learn how to deal with it. The main reason why people fear performing for others is that they don't practice doing it. So get out there and play for people more regularly it will help desensitise you a lot better than any mental tricks which try to mask any natural apprehension. You face your fear, you learn to deal with it, you realize it is not that bad. I've screwed up on stage a few times and I'm still alive.

[zebra555]

Thanks to you all for your recommendations for getting the sort of information I’m interested in, and to LIIW for practical advice. I’ve checked out the bullet proof musician website and it’s excellent. I prefer to be guided to websites and resources because it’s difficult at my stage to judge their quality. Many thanks again.