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When the pupil is ready for his master

Roberta Pili — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:47:52 +0000

It has been said that the best teacher always recognizes when his pupil is ready to learn something new.
In other words a really good teacher can be as good as his pupil is able to understand and to apply new knowledge upon particular topics related to the learning process.
As usual students are tending to model his master, whithout thinking about the quintessential purpose of those teaching methods.
But how long does it take to step further from the level of simple modeling to the consciousness of active learning and finally reaching at least the same level of the master? When are students ready to develop theirselves and become masters of their own, last but not least to even try to pursue the path which the master has shown?

Individuality, a strong personality, the power of determination are actually the main requisites to reach mastership.
Doubtless we are speaking here about a work-in-progress, during the entire life.
Being a pianist for a choice of profession is a lifelong task, to which we are personally committed to achieve the peak of mastership in being a musician.
Who is the best master that we can find in order to reach this level?
Practicing is the best master to us, and we are never-ending students…

Private Practicing

Roberta Pili — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 21:29:50 +0000

Last week we had the opportunity to assist to a unique classical music project: the YouTube Symphony Orchestra performing at Carnegie Hall. The musicians came from several countries and have been selected through auditioning videos, which they self-posted on YouTube.
That was the first orchestra “made in the world-wide-web”.

Just check your camera, put it in your practice room, choose the best piece you can play and then just record your little audition to get your chance to be a member of a ”virtual orchestra”.
A good idea, a well-organized project, a particular live performance.

Any instrumentalist was no more required to travel personally to an audition, they could just do it from their home, from their practicing room.

Hm, quite interesting but, do you really like this?
It sounds like in doing so, “virtual voyeurs” are allowed to watch me while I am having my private practicing session at home.
Well, I think that a practicing session should be rather an intimate affair with the instrument, yes, a very close relationship with the piano, for example, like two lovers communicating with each other……
I would let listen from outside the practicing room, it is more exciting and not that interfering for the two involved, musician and instrument, pianist and piano.

Otherwise, why not making an exception and watching a unique pianist doing his unique practicing session in his unique room?
I am sure this pianist also didn´t want to be disturbed and be watched every time he practiced, as said, this is an exception.

Basic principles of efficient practicing – I

Roberta Pili — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:03:19 +0000

Did you ever ask yourself whether your piano practicing is in fact efficient? Or have you ever had the feeling that your exercises on the keyboard are just a boring routine you daily repeat while not knowing why you do it?
Remember first: Practicing means exploring every unknown detail of the score you are studying; it is like disclosing the secret of music and discovering the unlimited power of the composers´masterworks.
A good approach to your daily practice should include a Prelude and Fugue from the Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S.Bach. This repertoire represents the absolute fundamental work for a pianist.
Studying meticulously Preludes and mostly Fugues by Bach requires a high concentration, especially when pointing out the plurality of voices (polyphony) relating together through counterpoint. This is the basis of efficient practicing and, in the long term, the perfect construction of high professional piano playing.
After your first approach with Bach, choose a piece which is immediately connected to those specific Prelude and Fugue. Create for your practice session a direct relationship between the pieces you decide to work at. You can set different criteria in doing so, for example if you consider the common key as an esthetic detail of this relationship, thematic similarities or motivic recalls from one piece to another, related characters in the musical message. You should also take care of your mental work. Be concentrated during your practicing and you will notice a speedy development of your skills as a performer. Do not just play notes or push keys down, try rather to shape the musical phrase focussing on a beautiful tone. Be interested in the quality of your daily practicing, because it will affect the quality of your being a pianist.

Suggestions of different piano works for a practice session:

Begin:

J.S.Bach, Well-Tempered Clavier Book II – Prelude and Fugue D Minor BWV 875

Connected work:

L.v.Beethoven, Piano Sonata D Minor Op. 31 No. 2 – “The Tempest” / First movement

Related works:

S.Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto D Minor No.3 Op.30, First movement
Bach-Busoni, Chaconne / First part to the begin of the D major key section (quasi Tromboni)

You can take these practicing ideas to build a large repertoire. Try this every day, rotating with other pieces and being creative in the combination of them for your session. Be sure to remain highly concentrated during the whole practice, otherwise your work will be unproductive and unreliable.
If you have any questions, don´t wait and ask for help by simply posting a comment.