Introduction and question for Bernhard

[omnisis]

This question is mainly aimed at Bernhard because I have been reading his "Teaching" area posts and was very surprised at the speed at which he was able to move his students along.  I myself have been learning piano as an adult from scratch (absoulutely no musical experience as a child ) for about 10 months now.  Right now I can play two pieces reasonably well: Minuet in G by C. Pezold  (from the Anna Magdelena Notebook) and a piece called "Sand Castles" by Martha Mier.   I have been taking lessons from 2 friends who both play piano  (and are quite proficient) and were willing to teach me.  I have a very busy schedule and all the piano teachers in my area were overworked and couldn't conviently take on an adult student.

When I started out I did nothing but play method book pieces (John Schaum series).  I have gone through the preparatory book, the "A" book and part of the "B" book.  After reaching the end of the "A" book I had a sudden desire to shoot myself and end the misery there.  Playing nothing but method book pieces will make you go crazy, anyone who says otherwise either isn't playing all of them or doens't care what kind of sounds he/she makes at the piano.  The Minuet was my first "real piece" I ever played.  I am devoting more time to practice now (1 hour a day minimum) and am looking to make the most efficient use of my practice time as possible.   I would really like to learn the Chopin Prelude Op. 28/#7 next as it isn't too complicated yet sounds quite pleasing.

My question is:  What is the most effective way to practice scales, chords and arps?  Right now I am practicing them in a sort of circle of fifths progression starting with just the white key scales, then adding the black key scales.  Is this a good way to learn them?  I also practice major, minor, augmented , dimished triads followed by major 7, 7th, dim7 and aug7 chords (and their corresponding inversions) with each tonic key of the scale(s) that I am currently practicing. 

Also, for Bernhard how do you help an adult beginner see rapid progress with your teaching program?  The claims you make for being able to play Grade 6 (ABRSM) pieces in 6 months are absolutely amazing.  Do you only see this kind of progress with your younger students or do adult students who are absolute beginners (not piano drop-outs!) 

~omnisis

PS>  Bernhard, I would pay to buy your book on learning the piano but you haven't written it as of yet so
        I have to keep asking you questions that you've probably been asked before on this forum.  Sorry   
        about that. 

[bernhard]

Also, for Bernhard how do you help an adult beginner see rapid progress with your teaching program?  The claims you make for being able to play Grade 6 (ABRSM) pieces in 6 months are absolutely amazing.  Do you only see this kind of progress with your younger students or do adult students who are absolute beginners (not piano drop-outs!)

First we have lessons everyday. This is the single most important factor leading to quick progress.

Second I always start from a piece. Everything else – technique, scales, theory, etc. is related to the piece. I see no reason why an adult student should not start his/her piano students by tackling Chopin’s prelude no. 7 you mentioned, straightaway from the start.

Absolute beginners actually tend to progress quicker than piano drop-outs, since they come with less baggage and are more willing to try things on faith. Piano dropouts may come with all sorts of superstitions that may take quite a while to get rid of.

My question is:  What is the most effective way to practice scales, chords and arps?  Right now I am practicing them in a sort of circle of fifths progression starting with just the white key scales, then adding the black key scales.  Is this a good way to learn them?  I also practice major, minor, augmented , dimished triads followed by major 7, 7th, dim7 and aug7 chords (and their corresponding inversions) with each tonic key of the scale(s) that I am currently practicing.

The most effective way to practise anything is the way that will get you to your aim in the least amount of time with the least amount of effort.

Therefore it is a personal thing. First you must decide what is your aim in working at scales, chords and arpeggios, that is, what will you consider as a job accomplished? This is itself may constitute several quite different aims:

1.   To play scales fast, evenly and cleanly.
2.   To be able to identify a scale and its relatives at a glance.
3.   To use such knowledge to transpose, for instance.
4.   To use such knowledge to improvise, for instance.
5.   Other.

There are physical aspects (fingering and movement) to be considered. There are mental (including intellectual) aspects as well (the mathematical relationships between the degrees of a scale and between different scales).

Personally, I always start with the B major scale (the easiest form a physical point of view), and I use scale improvisation from the very beginning.

You can have a look at these threads where this is discussed in more detail:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2313.msg19807.html#msg19807
(Speed of scales – the important factors in speed playing - alternative fingering for scales).

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2533.msg21955.html#msg21955
(structured plan to learn scales and arpeggios – includes description of repeated note-groups and other tricks)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2619.msg22756.html#msg22756
(complete unorthodox fingering for all major and minor scales plus an explanation)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2701.msg23134.html#msg23134
(Teaching scales – the cluster method and why one should start with B major).

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2758.msg23889.html#msg23889
(scales & compositions – the real importance of scales is to develop the concept of key, not exercise)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2920.msg25568.html#msg25568
(how to play superfast scales)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2983.msg26079.html#msg26079
(Best order to learn scales – what does it mean not to play scales outside pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2998.msg26268.html#msg26268
(Scales HT, why? – why and when to practise scales HS and HT – Pragmatical  x logical way of teaching – analogy with aikido – list of piano techniques – DVORAK – realistic x sports martial arts – technique and how to acquire it by solving technical problems – Hanon and why it should be avoided - Lemmings)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3499.msg31548.html#msg31548
(using scales as the basis for free improvisation)





Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[omnisis]

Thanks for the quick reply and the links to previous threads.  As usual your response
has answered the question I asked and then some!

~omnisis