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, 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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