Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. As a second-generation pianist, teacher, and lifelong lover of music, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing and teaching the piano for most of my life. My father, Morton Estrin, was my teacher for many years, and my sister is also a pianist and teacher. Through this rich family tradition, I’ve learned some powerful lessons that have shaped my approach to both playing and teaching the piano. Today, I want to share with you four keys to accelerate your piano progress that you can start using right away.
1. Always Be Learning New Music
This is a lesson I learned directly from my father. Even in his 80s, he decided to tackle Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition for the first time! You might think, “Isn’t he too old for something like that?” But that was the mindset of a true lifelong learner. My father was always seeking new music to challenge himself, and he would often lament when he saw other pianists playing the same pieces they had performed years ago. He was constantly evolving, always expanding his repertoire.
This idea of continually learning new music is one of the most important things you can do to grow as a musician. It’s how you keep improving and keep your practice fresh. One of my other teachers, who just turned 100, by the way, was the same way. She was always learning new music, even releasing a new album just a few years ago. The key to being a great pianist is to never stop learning.
2. Choose Music That Matches Your Level
Here’s a tip that some of you might find a little surprising. Choose pieces that are within your current skill level. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to play music that feels just out of reach, like Clair de Lune or something by Brahms or Rachmaninoff. While it’s important to challenge yourself and occasionally push yourself outside of your comfort zone, you also need to make sure that you’re picking music you can actually master.
The beauty of the piano is that it has an abundance of fantastic music at all levels. Unlike some other instruments, where great music that isn’t extremely challenging can be scarce, the piano offers a wealth of phenomenal pieces that are both rewarding to play and within reach. So, while it’s great to aim for the more challenging pieces down the road, you should primarily focus on mastering music that is right for you now. That way, you’ll gain confidence, control, and the satisfaction of truly getting pieces under your fingers.
3. Perfect three or four Pieces
One mistake I often see is students trying to juggle too many pieces at once. They start a new piece, work on it for a while, then move on to something else before the first piece is fully mastered. This constant shifting can result in a repertoire that’s never truly polished. Instead of spreading yourself too thin, focus on just three or four pieces that you can really perfect. This is how you can make true progress.
Having a smaller selection of pieces that you really work on will allow you to develop a deeper understanding and connection with the music. And it’s important to always have a few pieces in your repertoire that you can confidently perform. Don’t let your pieces get rusty. Keep revisiting and refining them so that they stay in top shape, even as you continue learning new works, while not overwhelming yourself with too many review pieces.
4. Work on a Variety of Techniques
Finally, to make your practice time more effective and engaging, you need to cover a variety of skills each day. Don’t just focus on one aspect of playing. Make sure you’re working on learning new music, refining music, sight-reading, and technique such as scales and arpeggios, as well as more specific things like octave and wrist technique. A well-rounded practice routine is essential for growth.
By incorporating different areas into your daily practice, you’ll stay more engaged and make faster progress. Working on scales and technical exercises may seem tedious at times, but if you incorporate just a few minutes of each practice session on them, trust me, you will develop more strength and security you need to tackle more challenging music. Consistent, focused practice across multiple areas will set you up for success in the long run.
By following these strategies, you’ll see significant improvement in your piano playing!
If you’re looking for more tips and resources to help you along your piano journey, be sure to check out the link below for more information. I’m here to help you supercharge your playing!
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