PRACTICE TIPS #4: "Imprinted on the Brain"

[Brent Hugh <bhugh@griffon.mwsc.edu>]

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piano practice tips and ideas, by Brent Hugh



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PRACTICE TIPS #4: "Imprinted on the Brain"

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Lately I have been reading _Piano Technique_ by Walter Gieseking and Karl

Leimer (reprint edition published by Dover, NY, 1972).  I came across the

following very interesting passage that describes the learning process that

we go through when practicing.



Note especially the conclusions reached in the last paragraph.  How

*should* you practice--especially in the beginning, when the end goal seems

far from sight--in order to learn the music in the best way?



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>From _Piano Technique_, p. 47:



Practicing signifies the continual repetition of some part of a piece, and

has the following effect:



When a part of a composition has been played for the first time, a picture

of the same becomes imprinted on the brain. This picture varies in

clearness according to the mental constitution of the pupil. In general, a

very faint impression is left on the memory, similar to a photograph which

is not clear or has been under-exposed. Through constant repetition the

picture becomes more and more distinct and finally resembles a clear, sharp

photograph.



The mistakes made, when playing, again cause a picture to appear in the

brain, which, however, being faulty, needs correction.  This is very often

a most difficult and wearisome business; and faults, especially in regard

to rhythm, and acquired through incorrect practicing, can be eradicated

only by great effort. For a pupil, therefore, who wishes to make quick

progress, it is of the greatest importance to avoid mistakes, from the very

beginning. This can be attained, in the first instance, by playing very

slowly, by thorough concentration in regard to rhythm (I would suggest

counting aloud), and by the use of correct fingering. By means of absolute

concentration the pupil is generally able to play small parts absolutely

correctly, in the course of a few minutes; this being otherwise, very

often, only possible after days or weeks of study. 

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Happy Practicing!



--Brent



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PRACTICE TIPS is by pianist, teacher, composer, and internet nerd

Brent Hugh.  Brent knows about practicing mostly because he *does*

it, and in fact is toddling off to do some of it just about now . . .



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