PRACTICE TIPS #26: E.S.P.

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

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PRACTICE TIPS is an occasional email newsletter with practical

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PRACTICE TIPS #26: E.S.P.

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This week's practice tip is from list subscriber Gary.  It has a good 

synthesis of a lot of the practicing ideas that we have been talking about 

in previous Practice Tips.



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I use E.S.P. to learn. (Extremely Slow Practice.)



Earlier, I was trying to move the tempo up on the metronome after I 

mastered the piece. I start learning with 1/8 = 40...yes, painfully slow. 

Once I hit the right keys every time through, I'll play the piece 10 times, 

then increase the metronome one click higher and play it 10 times more. 

(There are 31 clicks to the top speed on the metronome.) More experienced 

people might progress more quickly. But I suspect they would be playing 

more difficult pieces.



It is the times I play the piece after I hit the right notes that 

reenforces learning.



Oh, in between, I play the piece a whatever speed feels comfortable. And 

without the metronome.



A plus...As I'm playing super slowly, there is plenty of time to think 

between the notes. So, I think about what notes are coming next. I also 

focus on dynamics. For me, this is done most easily after I'm good at 

hitting the right notes.



One plus, once I can play a section, I find it almost effortless to 

memorize it. And I feel comfortable playing the section at different speeds.



Well, this piano stuff doesn't seem to complex. Just learn how to hit all 

the right notes in the right order. Best place to do that is sitting at the 

piano.



In the past, I sent a tip about recording yourself on a digital with the 

sound turned down. This morning, I read that Glen Gould used to set a 

vacuum cleaner next to the piano so he couldn't hear the music while he played.



The concept is the same. You have to think about the music you want to 

create instead of the sound you just made.



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The Missouri Western State College Piano Camp begins this Sunday (June 

11th) and, although the "official" application deadline is past, we do have 

a few spots still available.  Have a look at at our Piano Camp web site 

(http://www.mwsc.edu/~pianocmp) and email me if you're interested!  Camp is 

for pianists in 6th-12th grade.



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 . . .



Please remember that this tip is but a small spot near the end of the

elephant's trunk--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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