Piano Lessons- Music Theory Lessons

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. In my years of teaching, I’ve encountered countless piano students who make the same mistakes over and over again. These errors are so common, and they can hold back your progress if you don’t address them. If you can recognize and avoid these mistakes, your playing will improve significantly. Here are five of the most frequent piano practice mistakes and the best ways to fix them.

1. Correcting, but Not Solidifying Your Progress

One of the most common mistakes pianists make is thinking that correcting an error is enough. You may fix a problem once, but if you don’t solidify that correction, it’s likely to resurface. To really make a lasting change in your playing, you need to practice the correction over and over again until it feels completely natural.

The key to solidifying a correction is repetition. But don’t just repeat it mindlessly—make sure you’re playing comfortably. Sit comfortably and ensure that your shoulders are relaxed. Play the passage until it feels effortless. This is where most pianists fall short: they think they’ve corrected something, but then, when they come back to it later, they slip back into old habits.

Here’s how to tackle this: Once you’ve corrected a mistake, go back a little before that passage and play through the section again, then a little further back, and eventually play from the beginning. By doing this, you’ll reinforce your new way of playing and avoid slipping back into your old habits.

2. Practicing Too Large a Section at Once

Another common mistake is trying to work on too large of a section at one time. When you try to refine an entire phrase or a large chunk of music, it becomes difficult to pinpoint exactly where things are going wrong. Plus, by the time you’ve finished the section, it’s hard to remember where the issues were, let alone fix them effectively.

Instead of practicing long sections, break them down into smaller, more manageable parts. This will allow you to focus on exactly what needs attention and refine things to the point of mastery. Once you’ve nailed the smaller sections, then you can start putting them together.

3. Practicing Too Fast

I can’t emphasize this enough: slow down your practice! Too many people rush through pieces because they want to play them faster. But this is a recipe for insecurity in your playing. You need to find the tempo at which you can play relaxed with security, even if it feels ridiculously slow. This is essential, especially when you’re working to refine your music.

Practicing slowly gives you the opportunity to gain confidence in your playing. It allows you to work through tricky passages without feeling rushed. When you’re comfortable playing slowly, speeding up becomes a natural progression. But if you always push yourself to play faster than you’re ready for, you’ll never achieve true security in your playing.

4. Not Having Clear Objectives

A big mistake many pianists make is practicing without a clear goal in mind. Are you trying to improve your left-hand technique? Bring out the melody more? Fix a fingering issue? If you don’t know exactly what you’re trying to achieve, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Make sure you have a clear objective for each practice session and know exactly what you’re focusing on at any given moment. This will guide your practice and make it more effective. Whether you’re reviewing, memorizing, or working on a specific technique, knowing your goal is key to achieving it.

5. Not Practicing Performing

This is another mistake that many pianists make: not practicing performing. Playing in a practice session is different from playing in a performance. To simulate the feeling of a performance, set yourself up as if you were actually going to perform. Record yourself on your phone or other device, imagine an audience, and don’t stop playing once you start. This will help you practice staying focused and calm during a performance, and it will expose any areas that might need more work. Don’t just practice in isolation—make sure you also practice performing. Ideally, you can set up small performances for family members or good friends to get the feel of things before venturing to more challenging situations. This will give you the confidence you need when it’s time to play for an audience.

By addressing these mistakes and implementing these strategies, you’ll see a big improvement in your playing!

Let me know how these tips work for you. And if you’re interested in taking your playing to the next level, consider a free consultation through my Living Piano Mastermind Club.

5 Piano Practice Mistakes Nearly Everyone Makes

In my years of teaching, I’ve encountered countless piano students who make the same mistakes over and over again. These errors are so common, and they can hold back your progress if you don’t address them. If you can recognize and avoid these mi

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. When it comes to piano practice, there are countless techniques you can use to improve your playing. Whether it’s practicing with a metronome, developing a system for sight reading, or simply adding variety to your repertoire, there’s always something to work on. But today, I want to focus on three fundamental strategies that are especially useful when you’re having trouble with a specific piece or passage. If you find yourself stuck or struggling with a part of a piece, these three go-to practices are guaranteed to help you overcome those hurdles and improve your performance. Let’s dive into them.

1. Slow Down Your Practice

This might sound like an obvious tip, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to solidify your playing. When you’re struggling with a passage, try slowing down. When you play slowly, you force yourself to concentrate on every note and every detail of your technique. You won’t be able to rely solely on muscle memory. Take the time to look at the score, lift your foot off the pedal, and really engage with the music. Using a metronome can be helpful here. The key is to make sure you’re playing with full awareness. It may feel a bit challenging at first, but slow practice is one of the best ways to refine your playing.

2. Work Hands Separately

Try practicing hands separately. This is a technique you’ve likely used when first learning a piece, but it’s worth returning to even after you’ve been playing through the music for a while. By working on each hand separately on key sections, you can give your brain the space to focus on each hand’s specific movements and nuances.

If you’re having trouble getting both hands together smoothly, practicing each hand on its own can help you build confidence and accuracy. Once each hand is comfortable on its own, putting them back together will feel much more natural. If you’re finding it difficult, don’t hesitate to break things down further. The more solid you are individually with each hand, the more success you’ll have when they come together.

3. Break It Down into Smaller Sections

Finally, when you’re having difficulty with a larger passage or a tricky section, break it down into smaller chunks. Sometimes, trying to tackle an entire section all at once can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on just a few measures, or even a couple of notes at a time. This focused approach allows you to make incremental improvements, building comfort and confidence step by step.

In my own practice, you might even hear me focusing on just two notes at a time—making sure I’m comfortable with the transition from one note to the next before moving forward. It may sound strange, but this level of attention to detail helps me build ease and control in my playing. Mastering small chunks leads to mastery of the entire piece.

The Bottom Line

Remember, these are tried-and-true methods that can be applied to any piece you’re working on. Even legendary pianists like Rachmaninoff practiced slowly and carefully. Ruth Slenczynska, who was a teacher of mine who had the privilege of studying with Rachmaninoff, once recalled an experience when she was waiting outside his studio. She heard someone playing inside and assumed it was a beginner due to the very slow tempo. To her surprise, when the door opened, she discovered that it was Rachmaninoff himself, practicing with incredible slowness and precision. This slow, deliberate approach to practice was a hallmark of his method, and it was key to his exceptional mastery of the piano.

So, the next time you’re facing a difficult section, give these techniques a try. Slow down, work each hand separately, and break passages into manageable chunks. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can gain control and comfort in your playing!

If you’re serious about taking your piano playing to the next level, click the link below for more resources on learning music, refining your skills, and performing with confidence. I’m here to help!

Set up a free consultation about how to elevate your piano playing

The 3 Essential Go-Tos in Your Piano Practice

When it comes to piano practice, there are countless techniques you can use to improve your playing. Whether it's practicing with a metronome, developing a system for sight reading, or simply adding variety to your repertoire, there’s always someth

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. Can a supportive community improve your piano playing? This is a question I feel strongly about, as I’ve experienced it firsthand. My journey in music began at a young age, and the support of a community played a huge role in my development. It all started in my father’s music classes, where I had the privilege of not only receiving one-on-one lessons but also participating in weekly classes with other students.

The Power of Playing Together

In those classes, we would play for each other, discuss music theory, and learn from one another. It was a truly invigorating experience. I can’t begin to tell you how instrumental those sessions were for my growth as a pianist. The camaraderie of playing alongside other students, the support we gave each other, and the opportunity to learn from our peers created an environment that was incredibly motivating and inspiring. That sense of connection and shared purpose pushed me to refine my playing and keep striving to improve.

The Impact of Masterclasses

My experiences didn’t stop there. As I continued my studies, I was fortunate to have more opportunities to learn from some truly incredible musicians. In high school, I spent time at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, where I had the chance to participate in masterclasses for both piano and French horn. These masterclasses were not only an opportunity to work with brilliant artists, but they also gave me a chance to see how the masters interacted with their students.

The group dynamic in these sessions was just as valuable as the individual lessons. Watching how the teachers guided their students and observing their progress was eye-opening. It allowed me to gain insights that I wouldn’t have had in a one-on-one lesson. A light bulb would often go off in my head as I connected with the struggles and breakthroughs of others. The support from fellow students, as well as the shared learning experience, was incredibly valuable. It was truly transformational.

A Synergy of Growth

I’ve had the privilege of attending many masterclasses, including ones with Byron Janis at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, John Ogden, Ruth Slenczynska, Constance Keene, and James Tocco. Each of these experiences reinforced the power of community in music. There’s a special synergy that happens when a group of musicians come together to learn and grow. It’s not just about individual feedback or learning new techniques; it’s about the collective energy and inspiration that arises from being part of a community.

Building a Community to Transform Your Playing

A supportive community can absolutely transform your playing. Whether it’s through playing for each other, sharing knowledge, or simply being inspired by the progress of others, the impact of a community cannot be overstated. This is one of the reasons I created the Living Piano Mastermind Club. I wanted to bring together a group of like-minded individuals who could support each other’s musical growth. It’s amazing how much your playing can improve when you have a supportive community around you. If you’re interested in experiencing this kind of growth, I encourage you to check out the Living Piano Mastermind Club at the link below.

Set up a free consultation about how to elevate your piano playing

Can a Supportive Community IMPROVE Your Piano Playing?

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. Can a supportive community improve your piano playing? This is a question I feel strongly about, as I’ve experienced it firsthand. My journey in music began at a young age, and the support of a

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. As a performer, it’s something we all face: the dreaded stage fright. You’ve practiced your piece for weeks, feeling confident that you’ve got it. But then you sit down to perform, and suddenly, everything seems to go haywire. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—stage fright affects almost every musician. But here’s the good news: it’s totally normal, and you can absolutely overcome it with a bit of preparation and the right mindset.

1. Understand the Difference Between Practicing and Performing

The first step is realizing that performing is different from practicing. It’s not just about playing your piece over and over in the practice room; it’s about dealing with the unique dynamics of a live performance, which comes with its own set of challenges.

Preparation is key: You need to prepare more than you think you should. You should be so familiar with your piece that you could wake up at any hour, sit down at the piano, and play it flawlessly, even if you’re tired or distracted. A strong foundation is crucial. Take time to work on tricky sections, practice slowly, and use a metronome for accuracy. Once you’re comfortable at a slow pace, practice playing faster than your usual tempo. This is vital, because when nerves hit, you’re more likely to play faster than you realize.

2. Practice at a Faster Tempo

It might sound counterintuitive, but playing faster during practice is a great way to prepare for a performance. Often, when nerves kick in, you’ll play faster than you expect because your body’s physiological response—such as increased heart rate and excitement—speeds up your movements.

I’ve seen this many times with students: they’ve prepared thoroughly, but once they’re in front of an audience, they start playing at a pace that feels way too fast for comfort. The problem is that they’ve only practiced at a slower tempo, and the nervous energy of performing can throw them off. To avoid this, practice at different tempos. Push yourself to play at a quicker pace to simulate the excitement and intensity of a live performance.

3. Practice Performing

Practice performing even when you’re not performing! One way to do this is to record yourself while playing as though it’s a real performance. Set up your phone or camera, pretend there’s an audience, and go through your piece from start to finish—no interruptions. And whatever you do, don’t stop the recording if you make a mistake. Just keep going and focus on how you recover. This is one of the most important skills you can develop: handling mistakes gracefully.

In my experience as a teacher, how well a student recovers from a mistake is often more important than their initial performance. Every performer—no matter their skill level—has slip-ups, but the great ones make those moments feel seamless. It’s all about your response. And by practicing recovery, you’ll build confidence in your ability to handle the unexpected during a live performance.

4. Play on Different Pianos

If you have the chance, try playing on different pianos. This is especially useful if you’ll be performing on an unfamiliar instrument. Pianos can vary greatly in feel and sound, so getting accustomed to different types can help you adapt to new environments. Even if you can’t practice on a different piano, try experimenting with your own: adjust the lid, change the sound by opening the top of an upright, or even try playing with the lid completely closed to hear how it changes the tone. This kind of experimentation helps you get used to unexpected circumstances, so you can perform confidently no matter what piano you’re playing.

5. Visualize Your Performance

Finally, one of the most powerful tools in overcoming stage fright is visualization. Well before stepping onto the stage, take a few moments to imagine the entire performance. Picture yourself sitting at the piano, hearing the sound of the keys, and feeling the energy of the audience. The more vivid you make this image, the better prepared you’ll be.

Here’s a technique that I personally use: if I know the piano I’ll be playing on, I’ll picture its logo, the feel of the keys, and even the acoustics of the room. I’ll take deep breaths, imagine the audience, and mentally “run through” my performance. This makes it feel like a familiar experience rather than a nerve-wracking unknown.

By the time you’re actually performing, your mind will be primed to embrace the situation, rather than panic. Instead of trying to block out the audience, you’ll be able to embrace them, letting their energy fuel your performance and creativity.

Unlock your best performance!

By implementing these strategies, you’ll not only overcome stage fright—you’ll be able to embrace the performance experience and let it bring out your best playing. Remember, a live performance is all about communication, and with the right mindset, you can turn that nervous energy into something inspiring. And if you’re serious about taking your piano playing to the next level, click the link below for more resources on learning music, refining your skills, and performing with confidence. I’m here to help!

Set up a free consultation about how to elevate your piano playing

Play for Anyone: 5 Steps to Piano Confidence

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. As a performer, it’s something we all face: the dreaded stage fright. You’ve practiced your piece for weeks, feeling confident that you’ve got it. But then you sit down to perform, and sudde

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. Sight-reading was a real challenge for me when I was a kid. I was playing complex works like Beethoven sonatas and Chopin ballades in high school, but when it came to reading even simple music, I just couldn’t do it. Sound familiar? Well, I eventually discovered the secret to overcoming this obstacle, and I’m going to share it with you today. If you want to improve your sight-reading, keep reading—because at the end, I’ll give you the most powerful tip that changed my life!

Start with Accessible Music

One of the first things I realized is that to improve your sight-reading, you need to read music that’s within your reach. If you choose music that’s too difficult, where you’re stopping and starting every measure, you’re not going to make any progress. You might not love the idea of playing simple, beginner-level music, but if that’s where you are, that’s where you need to start. It may seem like a step back, but trust me—it works. The more you practice music at your level, the more your skills will grow. The key here is continuity. If you can play through simple music without stopping and keep a steady rhythm, you’ll build the foundation needed for more complex pieces later on.

Make Sight-Reading Part of Your Daily Routine

Just like anything else, consistency is key. You don’t need to spend hours each day practicing sight-reading, but you should aim to do a little bit every day. Think about a child learning to read—they don’t get far if they only read occasionally. It’s the same for you. Regular practice is essential for making progress.

Keep Your Eyes on the Score

One of the most important pieces of advice I can give you is this: keep your eyes on the music. It sounds simple, but it’s crucial. Sometimes, it’s tempting to look down at your hands, but the moment you do, you’re no longer sight-reading. You’re just playing.

Of course, if you really need to glance at your hands, it’s okay—but do it quickly, and only look with your eyes. Keep your focus on the score as much as possible. You’ll be amazed at how much better your reading improves when you train yourself to keep your eyes on the music.

Choose a Tempo You Can Maintain

A common mistake is to start too fast. You might get excited and try to push the tempo, but then you end up speeding up and slowing down throughout the piece. This back-and-forth is not helpful for improving your reading skills. Instead, pick a tempo that you can maintain consistently. Once you’ve gone through the piece a few times at a steady pace, you can gradually increase the tempo, but starting slow is important for building fluency.

Don’t Stop—Keep Going!

Here’s the most crucial tip I can offer: don’t stop. This is perhaps the most important distinction between sight-reading and practicing. In sight-reading, you need to keep going, even if you make mistakes. If you stop every time you hit a wrong note, you won’t be able to get a sense of how the piece flows.

It’s okay if you don’t play everything perfectly, especially the first time through. Just keep moving forward and try to capture the overall feel of the music. The more you practice this way, the easier it becomes to read through a piece without getting caught up in minor mistakes.

Look at Groups of Notes, Not Just Individual Notes

When you’re reading, think about the bigger picture. Instead of focusing on each individual note, try to see groups of notes—like half measures or full measures. This is just like how you read words instead of focusing on individual letters. In music, you want to capture the “word” or the phrase, not the individual notes.

The Game-Changing Tip: Play with Other Musicians

Finally, here’s the tip that made all the difference for me: play with other musicians. When I started playing with other people, everything clicked. At first, it was a little uncomfortable, and I felt like I wasn’t doing a good job. I worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up, and I’d be holding the group back. But the truth is, many musicians, especially instrumentalists, rarely get a chance to play with a piano. For them, playing with a piano (even if it’s not perfect) helps them understand how the piece fits together as a whole. They need that accompaniment to bring their part to life.

Playing with other musicians forces you to keep moving. You can’t stop, or the group will fall apart. This pushes you to read more fluently, keep your hands and eyes moving, and create something coherent with the other musicians. You can even accompany children singing simple songs. They will love it! That’s what playing music is all about—making music together, not stopping and starting every measure.

If you can incorporate these tips into your practice, I promise you’ll see big improvements in your sight reading!

And remember, don’t be discouraged if it feels tough at first—just stick with it. You’ll get there! Let me know how this works for you in the comments. And if you’re serious about taking your piano playing to the next level, click the link below for more resources on learning music, refining your skills, and performing with confidence. I’m here to help!

Set up a free consultation about how to elevate your piano playing

Faster Sight-Reading: The One Critical Step You’re Missing

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. Sight-reading was a real challenge for me when I was a kid. I was playing complex works like Beethoven sonatas and Chopin ballades in high school, but when it came to reading even simple music, I

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!

Set up a free consultation about how to elevate your piano playing

4 Keys to Skyrocket Your Piano Progress

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 teac

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. Today I’m going to show you a piano exercise that can truly transform your playing. And the best part? You don’t need to learn anything new because this technique takes the music you’re already playing and turns it into an exercise for improvement.

Playing the Hands Together

One of the biggest challenges pianists face is playing the hands together, especially as the music gets more complex. When you’re working with advanced pieces, you’re not just dealing with two voices—there are often multiple lines happening at once, and you need to find a way to make them all distinct.

Think of it like listening to an orchestra: you might want to hear the oboe melody while the strings play a soft accompaniment, or perhaps you want the reverse. On the piano, how do you control the various parts to achieve that kind of control over balance?

A Simple, Effective Technique

The answer lies in a technique that you can apply to any piece of music to bring out the different parts in the score. It’s all about varying your articulation between the hands. This allows you to give more emphasis to some voices and let others recede into the background, much like managing multiple instruments in an orchestra.

How to Turn this into an Exercise

You may have difficulty achieving the desired balance of melody being above the accompaniment. The secret is to play with different articulations. Play the melody legato and strongly while playing accompaniment with a gentle finger staccato. This clearly delineates melody and accompaniment from one another and trains your hand to be able to control the individual parts.

Adjust Articulations for Balance

This technique also works well in pieces where you have more complex textures, such as chordal or contrapuntal passages. By breaking out the different lines within a chord or passage, you can practice emphasizing certain notes (playing legato) while letting others fade into the background (with a gentle finger staccato). This works even when you’re not dealing with traditional melody and accompaniment.

In chord playing, you can isolate individual voices. For example, in four-part chorale-type music, you can play each separate voice, one at a time, legato with all the other voices with gentle finger staccato. This gives you control over all of the voices in counterpoint!

The Key to Control: Quantifiable Articulation

The beauty of this technique is that it offers a more precise method of control than simply adjusting dynamics (loud and soft). Instead, it’s about varying the articulation of each hand and each voice by simply using a gentle, staccato touch for the parts you want to underplay and a more pronounced legato or sustaining touch for the melody or important voices.

By doing this, your hands learn to distinguish between the parts of the music, making it easy to bring out anything you like in your music.

Turning Your Music into Exercises

What makes this technique so powerful is that it’s applicable to any music you’re working on. It doesn’t matter whether you’re dealing with a simple melody and accompaniment or a more intricate texture—by adjusting articulations, you can turn any piece into an exercise that develops your control of balance and expressiveness.

In the end, this simple yet effective exercise can take your playing to the next level. You don’t need to learn new music or complicated exercises; just apply this technique to what you’re already working on, and watch your playing transform.

Set up a free consultation about how to elevate your piano playing

The One Piano Exercise That Can Transform Your Playing

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. Today I’m going to show you a piano exercise that can truly transform your playing. And the best part? You don’t need to learn anything new because this technique takes the music you’re

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. Today, I want to talk about the number one mistake that is holding you back in your piano playing. If you’ve ever felt like you’re practicing hard but not making the progress you want, this could be the reason. It’s all about clarity. The biggest mistake most pianists make is not being clear about which aspect of their playing they’re working on at any given moment. When you practice, there are many different skills and techniques to focus on. But if you aren’t clear about which one you’re addressing during your practice, you might end up not improving any of them, despite spending a lot of time at the piano. So, let’s dive into why clarity is so important and how it can make your practice sessions more productive.

Know What You’re Working On

To make the most of your practice time, you need to know exactly what you’re aiming to improve. There are several different areas of piano playing that need attention, and they each require different approaches. If you try to address them all at once or don’t have a clear focus, you might end up spreading yourself too thin.

Let’s take a closer look at the different things you need to focus on during your practice.

Learning New Music

One of the most fundamental aspects of piano playing is learning new music. But are you truly learning the music, or just playing through it? If you’re working on learning a piece, you need to be methodical about it. Break it into small sections, work hands separately, and make sure each hand is fluent before putting them together. Progressing this way is far more effective than just playing through the piece over and over and hoping it sticks. Get each section down thoroughly before moving on, and connect the sections as you go.

Developing Reading Skills

Another essential skill is reading music. Reading is a macro skill—it’s something that develops over time with consistent practice. To improve, make reading a part of your daily practice routine. Find music at your current reading level and work through it regularly. Over time, you’ll notice that your reading skills improve. If possible, find someone to play with—whether it’s a singer, another pianist, or a friend who enjoys music. This will help keep ythings moving and make reading more fluid.

Refining Your Playing

After you’ve learned a piece, the next step is refining it. It’s not enough to just play through the piece and hope it sounds good. If you’re not happy with how it sounds, go back to the score and work through it slowly. Take your foot off the pedal, use a metronome, and focus on the details. There are many ways to refine a piece, but it’s important to know whether you’re just playing through it, learning it, or actively refining it. Understanding the difference will help you stay focused and productive.

Developing Technique

Your technique is essential for all your playing. When you refine a piece, you’re already developing technique, but there are other ways to specifically work on technique. For example, knowing all your major and minor scales and arpeggios is crucial. Music is made up of scales and broken chords, so if you’ve mastered these, you won’t have to spend extra time learning them when they appear in your pieces. Spend a small amount of your practice time each day working on technique, including wrist and octave work, and you’ll see improvements across everything you play.

Understanding Music Theory and Structure

Knowing the theory behind the music you play is another critical element. It’s not enough to just learn the notes and rhythms. Understanding the structure of a piece helps you interpret it more effectively. For example, if you’re learning a sonata, it’s important to understand its form. Are you clear on the different sections of the piece? Can you identify how the harmonies shift? Knowing the theory behind the music will make learning and performing much more intuitive and will also strengthen your reading.

Practicing for Performance

Finally, there’s the aspect of performance. Many pianists just play through their pieces in practice, but that’s not the same as performing. To practice for a performance, you need to simulate the experience. Set up a recording device and pretend you’re performing for an audience. Don’t stop, even if you make a mistake—just keep playing. This will help you build confidence and get a better sense of what needs more work. The more you practice performing, the more comfortable and prepared you’ll feel when it’s time for the real thing.

The Key to Productive Practice

To get the most out of your practice sessions, the most important thing is clarity. You need to know exactly what you’re working on at any given moment. Whether you’re learning a new piece, refining your technique, developing your reading skills, or practicing your performance, each skill requires a different focus and methodology. When you approach each of these areas with clear intentions, your practice will be far more effective.

By defining your goals and using a methodical approach, you can make huge strides in your playing. So the next time you sit down at the piano, take a moment to think about what you’re focusing on, and practice accordingly. Knowing what pillar of your playing you’re working on will make all the difference in your progress.

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The #1 Mistake Holding You Back in Your Piano Playing

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. Today, I want to talk about the number one mistake that is holding you back in your piano playing. If you’ve ever felt like you’re practicing hard but not making the progress you want,

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. If you’re looking to improve your piano playing quickly, I’ve got a tip for you that’s simple, effective, and can yield results right away. You might be skeptical, and that’s understandable, but trust me—this tip really works. It’s something that’s helped countless students I’ve worked with, and it’s something I use myself regularly. If you’ve never tried it before, it’ll give you a noticeable boost, and if you’ve done it before, it will serve as a valuable reminder of how important it is to your progress.

Slow Down and Focus on Details

The key is to take a piece you can already play, and slow it down to refine your playing and take it to the next level of performance. Play the piece slowly with the score in front of you, paying close attention to every detail.

Here’s what you need to do:

Take your foot off the pedal so you can hear everything clearly.

Go through the piece slowly, focusing on every single detail of the score.

Exaggerate everything—the dynamics, the accents, the phrasing.

At first, it may feel strange, but this is exactly what you need to do to uncover nuances in the music that you might have missed when playing up to tempo. You’ll be able to hear every note, every accent, and every subtle dynamic shift with clarity. In one sitting, you’ll be amazed at how much you can learn and how much more secure you’ll feel in the piece.

Why This Works

When you slow things down, you give your mind and fingers the time they need to really process the music. You begin to notice details that you might overlook when playing at a faster tempo. And even more importantly, this practice solidifies your understanding of the piece, reinforcing the phrasing and expression that make the music come alive.

You could go further by gradually increasing the tempo notch by notch with the metronome, but surprisingly, just this one step of slowing down and focusing on the details will give you instant results.

The Immediate Impact

If you’re doubtful, I encourage you to try this with a piece that’s not quite at the level you want. Maybe it’s something you’ve played before but feels a little lacking right now. Slowing down and focusing on the details will instantly improve your performance. Even without taking additional steps, just this one technique can give you noticeable results. It’s a simple and effective technique that can help you unlock new layers of expression in your playing. Leave a comment and let me know how it works for you! And, if you enjoy videos and tips like this, be sure to check out the description below to find more resources to help you take your playing to the next level.

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How to Instantly Improve Your Piano Technique

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. If you’re looking to improve your piano playing quickly, I’ve got a tip for you that’s simple, effective, and can yield results right away. You might be skeptical, and that’s understandabl