Dear Friends,

I hope you are doing well! As I wrote in last week's newsletter, we spent the holidays overseas; because I did not have anyplace to practice, I was by default forced to take a two-week vacation from the piano. It had been quite a while since I’d had such a long break, and although it was great to have some time away, when I returned in January I could really feel it! My fingers were sluggish, my focus wasn’t sharp, and I knew I was out of practice, both physically and mentally.

Also: I was also feeling behind, because I have music to learn for upcoming concerts.

And so, as someone who spends so much time giving advice about practicing, I decided to take a bit of my own. Instead of spending hours at the piano “cramming” my practice, I eased back in gradually, giving myself a little over a week to get back into a routine.

Here’s how I did it: for the first week, I capped my practice sessions at no more than an hour in one sitting and increased my total daily practice by no more than 30 minutes from the previous day. This was to avoid injury, because it can cause problems to practice wildly varying amounts from day to day.

I also spaced my practice out through each day and incorporated listening sessions into my routine. I planned each practice session down to the minute, so I always knew what I was working on and what the goal was. By the end of the week, I’d regained a sense of momentum and enthusiasm to practice that I might not have had if I’d sat down that first day back and started practicing full tilt again.

This experience reminded me that returning to practice after time away requires two things: patience and persistence. Being well-organized, making a practice plan, and returning to the instrument incrementally were all things that served me well this past week. Not only did I ramp back up to a consistent daily practice routine, but I also gradually recovered my mental capacity to concentrate and focus.

So, if you’re ever returning to a practice routine, remember to pace yourself. This can apply to other things besides the piano, I'm sure! The goal isn’t just to jump back in and make up for lost time, but to build a routine that is sustainable and enjoyable.

Have you ever had to take an extended break from practicing? How did you find your way back? I’d love to hear your story!

👋 Have a great week! Happy practicing! 🎹

-Kate

January’s Practice Theme: “Technique Tune-Up"

This Week's Practice Tip: Finger Independence

Finger independence is one of those foundational skills that is truly necessary for your playing. It’s what allows us, as pianists, to craft clear melodies, balance chords, and navigate passagework with ease. For beginners and advanced players alike, improving this skill can elevate your technique in ways that impact every piece you play.

Students often ask me how to build finger independence. My answer: slow, attentive practice. Start with simple exercises appropriate to your level (five-finger patterns, scales, arpeggios, etc), focusing on playing with a firm fingertip on each note, while keeping the fingers that aren’t playing relaxed.

Symptoms of tension are: a curved thumb, or a fifth finger that extends straight out from the hand – both of those are often caused by tension in the thumb and/or the wrist. Try to identify and address the source of finger tension, and focus on moving the fingers freely and loosely from the hand, avoiding pressing into the bottom of the key once the key is already down.

Of course, you can also look to your repertoire for opportunities to practice finger independence. Look for music that has multiple layers to the texture, such as music by Bach. Make sure to hold each note for its full duration, even if you have overlapping lines in a single hand. Listen carefully to balance between the hands and between voices within one hand, bringing out melodic lines and playing accompaniment very gently.

Finger independence is a skill that develops over time, so be patient with yourself. Just like my experience this week of returning to practice, it may not seem like you accomplish much in a single day, but by the end of a week or a month you’ll start to notice unmistakable improvement.

💜 Some of My Favorite Things

1. Recording 🎶: Florence Price's distinctive compositional style is at work in her E Minor Piano Sonata. This is a beautiful recording by Michelle Cann of the gorgeous slow movement.
2. Podcast 🎧: This episode of The Piano Pod features performance psychologist Jon Skidmore talking about performance anxiety. I love this quote from the podcast: “Stage Fright is Not a Disease; It's a Skill Deficit.”
3. Book 📚: The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music from the Heart, by Madeline Bruser. If you find practice frustrating and discouraging, this is the perfect book for you. Bruser's approach for practicing focuses on meditation and mindset, making for more enjoyable, freeing, and productive practice sessions. Available in Paperback or Kindle.

🎹 Stay Connected:

• 📆 Book a lesson or a coaching session with me. I have updated my available dates through the end of February!
• 🎓 Contact me to learn about applying to study with me at Butler University at the undergraduate or master's level. You can also see ​Butler University’s audition schedule​ if you are interested in studying with me in Indianapolis. Go Dawgs! 🐾
• 📚 Check out my resource pages, where I share my recommended books, technical exercises, gear and more!
• 🎥 Subscribe to my YouTube channel!
• 📱Follow me on Instagram!