The 'But' of Summer Break
How's summer going so far for you all?
In my last post, I never got around to a point I wanted to make. I hinted at it. I included it in the title. But when push came to shove, the post was already too long. And the point was a topic in itself.
What was the point?
Summer piano practice.
I know, I know. Why on earth would anyone want to practice in summer?
Because if you don't use it, you lose it. It's like exercising -- take running, for instance. If you don't run regularly, you're not going to forget how to run. You just won't run as fast as you could. If you don't practice, chances are you won't forget how to read music. But your playing skills that you've worked so hard over the fall and winter to gain will slowly backslide. Fall will come, and you will discover that you have to regain those skills.
Your fingers need exercise. Without it, they become lazy. It's like just about everything else in life.
But I know how it works. You all left the studio with good intentions of practicing. But the beautiful weather outdoors beckoned. The garden, the campground, the beach, Grandma's house -- whatever it was, you suddenly found that everything else in your schedule crowded out practice. Add to that no teacher to check up on you, and the temptation becomes very strong to leave piano practicing for tomorrow.
Why not try one of these strategies instead?
In my last post, I never got around to a point I wanted to make. I hinted at it. I included it in the title. But when push came to shove, the post was already too long. And the point was a topic in itself.
What was the point?
Summer piano practice.
I know, I know. Why on earth would anyone want to practice in summer?
Because if you don't use it, you lose it. It's like exercising -- take running, for instance. If you don't run regularly, you're not going to forget how to run. You just won't run as fast as you could. If you don't practice, chances are you won't forget how to read music. But your playing skills that you've worked so hard over the fall and winter to gain will slowly backslide. Fall will come, and you will discover that you have to regain those skills.
Your fingers need exercise. Without it, they become lazy. It's like just about everything else in life.
But I know how it works. You all left the studio with good intentions of practicing. But the beautiful weather outdoors beckoned. The garden, the campground, the beach, Grandma's house -- whatever it was, you suddenly found that everything else in your schedule crowded out practice. Add to that no teacher to check up on you, and the temptation becomes very strong to leave piano practicing for tomorrow.
Why not try one of these strategies instead?
- Make a goal to spend just ten minutes a day at the piano. Ten minutes isn't that much, is it?
- Choose just one piece to work on for a week or two. See how good you can get it. Alternately, you can
- Pick a different piece each day to work on, as opposed to focusing on one piece for a week.
- If you're on vacation, take your piano books with you. Find a flat surface (preferrably not the restaurant table or anywhere that will annoy your family), set up your book, and pretend there's a piano in front of you. Think about all the things you would do if you were really playing; the finger numbers, how heavy or light your touch would be, how fast you should go. Try to 'hear' the song in your head. Yes, this really counts as practice!
- If you're going to visit relatives or long-distance friends, try to find a time to perform for them. They'll love hearing you play!
Happy practicing!
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