Happy New Year!
Are you a resolution maker?
Perhaps you ought to be if you are learning piano. But where to begin?
We could be generic and say things like ‘practise more’ or ‘learn this piece of music’, but is that really going to be enough to actually keep us improving throughout the year?
Why not try a couple of my own suggestions to kickstart your resolution making this year…
Compose More: Believe it or not, composing music directly affects how well you understand music and greatly improves at least one of the following - your musical ear, your improvisation, your sight reading. If you do take it to the most literal extreme, getting a hold of manuscript paper and writing out your composition by hand is incredibly effective as it really makes you think about the pitch of your notes, the rhythms you are employing and any special markings you wish to add. Away from this, it also allows you to understand how different intervals sound and complement - or clash with - one another (both within the key signature you are composing in and away from it). Therefore, your understanding of which pitches sound good together will benefit you massively when it comes to learning other pieces as when you start to identify these either visually, audibly or ‘to touch’ (i.e. muscle memory) then it puts you much further along the path to remembering how to play a piece.
Visualise More: This one relates to sight reading, and whilst it is important to be able to identify all the different pitches for the treble and bass clef, it isn’t always practical to rely on this knowledge whilst reading. Getting used to reading ‘by pattern’ is a really powerful thing, and the best way to practise your sight reading is to just try reading music and playing it alongside. Try to be more mindful of where your hands are on the keyboard and get familiar with the feel of the notes: how big are they? How far apart are the notes you need to play? What do the black notes feel like against the white notes? Visualising the keyboard is an incredibly powerful tool, and reading by pattern is also an incredibly powerful tool - so practise this more alongside pieces and exercises you are learning.
Relax More: Honestly, the number one limiting characteristic of most pupils of all standards that I see when I ask them to play a piece of music isn’t evidently their inability to play it, but it is their fear. Fear of me, perhaps (understandable), but generally fear of doing something awful to or with the piano. The piano will not break. The piano will not crash like a car. It won’t shout at you if you make a mistake. Sitting stiff and putting 100% of your concentration towards a “I must hit the right note” attitude will likely lead to a worse performance - even if you do manage to hit all the right notes. Relaxation creates fluidity, emotion and - most importantly - enjoyment from your part. Piano is your friend but it will channel the way you are through its sound so being ready to play is an essential part of preparing for a performance; even if just for yourself for a few minutes one evening. Believe it or not, relaxation can be learned. Remember to breathe and practice incorporating it and remember to focus on the music as a whole.
I hope these have kickstarted your inspiration into finding your own resolutions, but feel free to take one or more of the above if you need to.
And thank you for following me this past year - Have a wonderful and safe 2025!
Jack Mitchell Smith is a piano teacher based in Macclesfield, Cheshire. Click here to find out more.
Weekly blogs are posted that may help you with your musical or piano journey. Click here to sign up to the mailing list so you never miss a post!
Comments