PRACTICE TIPS #15: Three-pencil Micro-breaks

[Brent Hugh <bhugh@GRIFFON.MWSC.EDU>]

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PRACTICE TIPS #15: Three-pencil Micro-breaks

--------------------------------------------



Several people wrote to me this week asking "Where was Practice Tips 

#15?"  Well, there  never was an issue #15, because I skipped straight from 

#14 to #16 and didn't notice until it was too late.  I'm making up for it 

in this issue, which is officially labelled Practice Tips #15.



Here is a nice refinement to Three Pencil Practice:



1. After you play each section, but before you move your pencil, drop both 

hands in your lap for a second or two.  Let your hands, lower arms, upper 

arms, shoulders, upper back, neck, and chest release and relax.  If you 

just sort of let your arms flop down into your lap, that should do it.



2. After you have completed the three pencils on a section, and before you 

reset yoru pencil to Position #1, flop your hands down in your lap again, 

and take two deep, slow breaths.  Then continue with your practicing.



What does this do?



In the short term, you will get through your daily practice periods with 

less tightness and tension.  You will feel better when your practice 

session is finished.  You will be less prone to have the lower and upper 

back, neck, and shoulder tension and pain that are so common among pianists.



In the medium term, you will learn to play the particular piece you are 

practicing with less tension and more coordination.  The more relaxed state 

you are reaching in your micro-breaks between sections will gradually begin 

to have an effect on the way you play the piece.  "As you practice, so will 

you play."



In the long term, you are teaching yourself to have a coordinated technique 

free of excess tension.  What you learn to do with your body while playing 

is one of the most important things you are teaching yourself when 

practicing.  If you are not paying any attention to what your shoulders, 

back, neck, and so on are doing while you practice, there is a good chance 

that they are unconsciously becoming more and more tense the longer you sit 

and practice.



Remember, your body is your instrument.  Treat it well!



--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 . . .



Please remember that this tip is but one small part of the elephant's

left rear leg--it's not even close to the whole elephant that is

"how everyone in the whole world should practice the piano".



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