Sorry for such a late answer.

--- Isleif <isleif@...> wrote:

>> The 30 minutes practice per day is a myth...<<

I agree. I also need like 2 hours or more to achieve
substantial improvement. But when I only have 30
minutes, I never lose the opportunity to practice
something that requires only 30 minutes (or even
less); like a certain passage of only few measures, or
finger dexterity for a section of arpeggios, or some
technique (legato octaves, Brahms exercises,
strenghtening 4th and 5th fingers, etc.)


> more is the dwindling concentration...<<

What helps me is to sing, if not outloud, at least in
my mind, whatever I'm practicing. One trick is to have
a notepad and a pen by your piano. If something comes
up that worries or distracts you, write it down. Let
it go. You know you won't forget to take care of the
matter, when you finish practicing.
the muscular


> muscular 'obedience' more of a problem...<<

Some scholars suggest more tecnique work. Others
believe it's all in your mind. That if you can't
imagine arpeggios sounding fluently and clear; then,
no matter how many hours of arpeggios you practice,
they won't sound fluently and clear. What about
exercises on "keyboard orientation"?

> The pedal ...<<

I'm terrible at pedalling. My teacher has only told me
that "it is a matter of good taste". I go beyond this
with my students. We practice together exactly where
the pedal should be pushed and released. It helps.
What I am sure of is that pedalling is addictive. The
more you use, the more you want to use. So I try to
use the minimum possible. Something that helps is
playing the "secondo" part in 4-hands pieces.


> Finally, knowing someone is listening (even my wife)
> seems to be killing...<<

For this, the best solution is to play for others. It
doesn't matter if you don't do it perfectly on the
first occasions. Where I take lessons, we have an open
class every month; we have recitals all through the
year (must participate in at least two). And recently,
some of us have been gathering every other week just
to play the piano. No teachers. No mandatory pieces. A
lot of 4-hands or two pianos. A lot of popular music,
which we are not allowed to play at school. A lot of
first-sight reading. A lot of fun.

Hope this helps. Best regards from México. Lya


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