Effective Practice and Motivation
FAQ | recommended resources | piano: bare essentials | Effective Practice & Motivation
Below are some of the many different aspects involved in learning
how to practice the piano effectively.
Environment | Goals
| Musical Form | Rhythm | Fingering |
Posture & Tension | Method | Memory | Pedal | Motivation
GOALS -
THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING REALISTIC GOALS FOR EFFECTIVE PIANO PRACTICE
Realistic goals should be set for each practice session at the piano. It is
extremely important to take the time to establish realistic goals:
short term as well as long term. Although the inability to attain
a specific goal is often related to poor practice habits, it can
also be because the goal is unrealistic. Another reason a goal
might not be attained is that the desire to reach a particular
goal is not shared equally by the teacher and student in which
case the student will not be sufficiently motivated to reach the
goal. It is not always clear who is setting the goals but once
a realistic goal is set, it is important that the child feels
engaged in the process of attaining the goal. I believe that children
work most effectively when they feel that they and their teachers
are working together towards a shared goal. Ideally, parents, the child, and the teacher should be working towards a common goal (or goals).
Preparation of a new piece is most effective when it occurs over
a regular period of time. Cramming is rarely effective and usually
creates tension in the body. It is good for children to take breaks
to stretch and/or move around; this helps eliminate the accumulation
of tension in the body and helps to relieve boredom.