Has Playing the Piano Changed Your Life?
Dear Friends,
It is "Peak Spring" here in the northern United States, where nature is generously rewarding us with a burst of vibrant blossoms for patiently enduring the winter months!
As I prepare to teach my final lessons of the academic year, I am reflecting on the hard work and dedication my students have put into their studies and performances this year.
My hope is that what they learned in their lessons and from their performances on stage will not only continue to bear fruit over the summer, but also enhance other areas of their lives. This includes being able to pause in appreciation when they notice something beautiful or breathtaking, embrace new challenges, and experience a greater sense of self-efficacy due to their ability to tackle and master difficult tasks.
Personally, as a pianist, I’ve noticed that my time at the piano has changed me in other areas of my life. Case in point: I have grown braver and more willing to do "scary" things like create YouTube videos or even write this note to you!
In what ways has playing your instrument changed you in your life outside of music? Feel free to reply to this email and let me know!
Have a great week - and Happy Practicing! 🎹
-Kate
Quote of the Week:
"There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning."
- Jiddu Krishnamurti
Today’s Practice Tip - Focus on one aspect at a time!
This week’s practice tip is to focus on one aspect of your music at a time. Staying focused and goal-oriented during practice will help you get the most out of your practice sessions.
You can do this by breaking down one piece you’re currently learning into small, manageable sections (one or two phrases at a time), and focusing on one component of the music or technique for each repetition.
For example, you could focus on the dynamics first, then focus on the articulation, then focus on phrasing, followed by focusing on maximizing the efficiency of your physical movements from one note to the next.
This will help you make improvements in noticeable ways and keep your mind alert during practice. You will also be more likely to stay motivated and not feel overwhelmed by the entire piece.
This week's exercise:
Choose one phrase of a piece you are currently working on. It should be a piece that you already know all the notes to and can play pretty comfortably.
Then, practice playing that phrase repeatedly, while focusing on a different aspect each time.
- For several repetitions, focus on your finger technique and accuracy. How efficiently can you move from note to note?
- Then, do several repetitions while focusing on your dynamics. Are you following what’s in the score? Are you making enough dynamic contrast? How do the dynamics relate to the emotions you want to communicate?
- After that, repeat the phrase a few more times, working on your phrasing. Where is the peak of the phrase, and how can you drive toward it…and then come away from it?
This exercise can help you stay focused and cultivate your sense of curiosity and play, making your practice sessions more effective.
My latest YouTube videos (and a podcast):
How to Stop Making So Many Mistakes - This week's topic is a doozy! I made this video because I know how frustrating it can be to keep making the same mistakes over and over again. In the video, I show how to fix a mistake as soon as it happens and also match technical concepts to the writing in the music, in order to move more efficiently (and therefore avoid making mistakes).
The Pefect Wrong Note - This is a summary of my 5 key takeaways from William Westney's classic book, The Perfect Wrong Note. Although written by a pianist for pianists, his takeaways apply to students of any instrument. I have had this book on my shelf for a long time, and I find it particularly useful in its discussion of how to practice more mindfully and effectively.
Piano Pantry Podcast: Eight YouTube Channels You Should Follow - Last week, Amy Chaplin, an independent piano teacher who, in addition to her teaching, specializes in organizing and music studio management, gave me a shoutout on her fantastic podcast, "Piano Pantry." In the episode, she highlights eight YouTube channels that can benefit piano teachers. I highly recommend Amy's podcast to all piano teachers, and frequently recommend it to my students who are in the process of starting their own independent teaching studios - check it out!
Upcoming Dates and Events:
April 23, 5:00 pm: Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall, Butler University (Indianapolis, IN). Miho Sasaki, Graduate piano recital. Works by Bartok, Barber, and Beethoven. Click here for the event and live stream link.
April 24: The last day of classes!
May 5-6: Commencement! 🎓
June 18-23: Butler University Piano Scholars Camp. For high school and middle school students, ages 12-18. Click here for more information.
July 2-9: Summer course in Xanthi, Greece. 🇬🇷 For collegiate students and advanced adult amateurs. Click here for more information.
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Kate Boyd
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