Hi Karl,

I am afraid I know the feeling of zero progress while a lot of efforts have been
done. I've always thought that the way I practiced was just wrong. For many
years I had nothing to do but follow this way - I did not know any better.
I think I eventually came to a better understanding of how to play piano.
1.. I make sure that every single note/sound is produced by THE PIANO STRIKE -
the way your finger attacks the key is very similar to the way dolphins go into
the water - top down, no hesitation, no pressure; energy goes down through the
key, your finger remains on its surface....and is listening to the result.
2.. I train my fingers to be able to listen and hear - it is a very individual
feeling and I can hardly say how to do it - I just do it. To facilitate this
training it is good to imagine that you are breathing through your finger tips.
In fact this is about body awareness.
3.. I try to translate the music into motions. What the music does look like
in terms of motions? What a pause looks like? How do I feel that in my body?
That is also a way to avoid extra motions.
4.. Synchronization. I discovered that it was not an easy task to play cords
or both hands so that it would sound good. "Together" or "at the same time" - is
a challenge on the piano. So, I do my best to synchronize as many things as
possible. By the way synchronization is our body's responsibility, not our
brains'.
I can say that it really helps me.

In addition to that I try to imagine what the color or the scent of any sound
could be. It is also useful to analyze the development of the harmony in the
piece. If you clearly understand and feel it you can improvise using some ideas
from the piece.

Practice is infinite and it could be fun, I believe.

My best to you,

Vica


----- Original Message -----
From: klavierneuling
To: musicalfossils@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2006 3:20 AM
Subject: [musicalfossils] Practice


Hello fellow fossils!

What are the magic tricks when the piece you're practicing becomes
stale, because you've played it a million times, progress is close to
zero, and you don't want to hear it anymore? Please!

Karl





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