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Dear Friends,
This is the middle of the fourth week of the semester, and things are in full swing. To be honest I'm spending most of my discretionary time these days practicing and rehearsing for upcoming concerts.
Personally, I find that the experience of having a performance goal elevates my whole experience playing the piano. I practice completely differently, with much more urgency, when I know there is a hard deadline (i.e., a concert) coming up.
I have met many students of the piano who say they love to take lessons and learn the piano, but they don't like performing. If this is you, I would encourage you to challenge that belief. Some people learned to hate performing because of a traumatic experience as a child, but as an adult, you have more agency and it is possible to create a performance experience that is low stakes and meaningful to you personally.
When looking for (or creating) opportunities to play for other people - really the only thing that is needed to simulate that feeling I'm describing, of practicing toward a particular date, is to schedule it in advance. Maybe it's as simple as scheduling a time next week, next month, or three months from now where you'll play your pieces for one other person.
Also, there can be so much benefit from getting together with a group of like-minded people to play for each other at regular intervals. If you don't know of a group like that, maybe you can start one!
An adult student of mine here in the Indianapolis area started a monthly informal performance gathering for adult amateur pianists, and at the first one there were just 3 people. But now, a year later, 10-15 people show up each time. It's a supportive, friendly atmosphere. Everyone brings some food to share; they play the piano for 45 minutes or so, and then they have a little reception afterwards.
Concerts don't have to be formal (or scary) events - you can just DIY it and reap the the rewards of playing for other people.
Happy Practicing! 🎹
-Kate
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🎼 Today's Practice Tip: Make Sure Your Practice Space is Comfortable!
I was recently reading Vanessa Cornett's wonderful book The Mindful Musician, which is packed with all sorts of wonderful advice about practicing and performing. One thing she points out is the importance of having a comfortable practice space:
"Our bodies and minds are more sensitive to our environment than we may realize. For example, if you are hungry, tired, or dehydrated before you begin your practice, you may not learn or retain as much new information. If the temperature of your practice area is too cool or (especially) too warm, this can negatively affect your ability to focus...If your practice area is too dimly lit, it may be harder for you to pay attention." - Vanessa Cornett, The Mindful Musician This week’s exercise: Take some time this week to audit your practice space. Notice the height of the bench: if it is not adjustable, is it too low or too high? If it's too low, can you put something under the legs to make it taller? If it's too high, can you find a different chair or bench to sit on? Consider the lighting and look at what you can do to improve it if needed.
Then, consider your hydration: do you have a water bottle you can set beside you while you practice? Do you practice better if you have a snack beforehand? Make an action plan that will allow you to show up at the piano bench feeling in your best form, ready to learn effectively and retain what you work on.
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Quote of the Week
"It's not that music is too imprecise for words, but too precise."
- Felix Mendelssohn
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🎥 Recent video
In this week's video, I share seven tips for making your practice time more effective. These are things that I do in my own practice and that I encourage my students to implement these strategies as well. Also: this advice can apply to students of all musical instruments.
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💜 Some of My Favorite Things
- Recording - The South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho became widely known after winning the 2015 Chopin Piano Competition. His Debussy is also stunning - I absolutely love his recording of Debussy's Images, Book 1. Here's his performance of Reflets dans l'eau, from Images.
- Podcast - Christina Whitlock, creator of the wonderful podcast Beyond Measure and member of my formal mastermind group, was interviewed recently on the podcast "What's it Like to Be." Christina talks about what it's like to be an independent piano teacher, and has many insightful things to say about the role of music in the lives of young people. My favorite quote from this interview: “Piano teachers have been quietly undergirding the success of society for centuries.”
- Resource - For years, I have been keeping my practice journal in ordinary spiral notebooks. This week I decided to upgrade to a more sturdy hard-bound book, and so far I'm pleased!
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🎹 Want to work with me?
Study at Butler: At Butler University I teach undergraduate and master's-level pianists. We still have three audition dates coming up: Feb 9, 16, and 19. Interested in learning more about studying at Butler? Simply reply to this email!
Xanthi, Greece: This summer I will be returning to Greece to teach at the Summer Piano Institute in Xanthi, from June 30-July 8. The festival consists of mainly undergraduate through doctoral-level piano students, but a few high school students and some adult amateurs also attend. You can read my blog post on last year's festival here. If you are interested, you can reply to this email or fill out this interest form.
Butler Piano Camp: Students should have at least one year of prior piano study. Butler Piano Camp is designed for any student who has a passion for the piano, from classical to jazz, ragtime, and popular music. All students participate in masterclasses and piano ensemble. Other sessions include theory, music history, sight reading, careers in music, and guest performances. If you would like me as a teacher, please request that when you register.
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🗓️ My Upcoming Performances and Events
Feb 15 and 17, 7:30 pm; Feb 18, 2:00 pm: Midwinter Dance Festival, Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University. Vaughan-Williams songs, with Oliver Worthington, baritone. Choreographed by Susan McGuire.
Feb 27, 7:30 pm: Rhapsody in Blue, Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University. With the Butler University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Trae Blanco.
March 16-19, Atlanta GA: I will be attending the MTNA National Conference as President-elect of the Indiana Music Teachers Association.
June 10-14, Butler University: Butler Piano Camp (for students ages 12-18).
June 30-July 8, Xanthi, Greece: Summer Piano Institute
July 12-13, Portland, OR: OMTA State Conference. I will be a featured presenter.
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