The world as we know it has been changed forever. Especially during the beginning of the pandemic, the world was in a collective state of shock, being required to throw out our old lives and adapt to an ever-changing situation. And today, even though everything is beginning to open up again, the shift towards the consumption of more online content is ever more present in every aspect of our lives. With this change inevitably comes a shift in our roles and responsibilities as artists. So let’s take a trip down memory lane and remember what it was like being a classical musician, comparing it to today’s harsh reality. STANDARDS OF PLAYING WERE LOWER For decades, the concert classical musician had...
So I wanted to get real with you guys for this one - especially those of you who are feeling in a rut right now, or just needing an extra little TLC. With all the deadlines we have as musicians, from competitions to applications, and even our weekly lessons, it’s easy to go into machine mode... Endless, mindless practice, day-to-day, never stopping to think what you want out of this, or what your creative calling might be. How do you keep that spark alive and stay creative as a musician? CREATE MORE THAN YOU CONSUME In the (almost) two years I have spent on YouTube, one of the best pieces of advice I have gotten is to create more than...
Have you ever had a bad experience with your piano teacher or professor? Maybe you quit playing a musical instrument when you were younger because of a mean teacher? You’re not alone. Sometimes the very teachers that want to give us the tools to play at a high level are the same teachers that kill our love for music. There are so many things I would change about music education today. From strict lessons to overly laidback ones, those focusing too much on technique not enough on passion and vice versa. Music education today is morphing into something new and more flexible in order to accommodate the ever changing student avatar, and that is great to see. Here are some...
So, since you might be wondering how exactly I use my beloved Efficient Musician Practice Planner, let’s go through it together :) One of the goals I set for myself this year is to improve my articulation in fast passages. These past few months, I’ve noticed that I tend to keep my fingers stretched out long after they have finished playing, in most pieces I play. For me, that means having less stamina when it comes to playing longer pieces, as well as a lazier articulation for fast passages. So, I’ve made it my goal for the next few months to improve my articulation, as a sort of practice resolution. As is the case for most goals, this will require...
Hello, my friends, and welcome back to another blog post :) Today, we are going to be talking about the various perks of efficient practice. I’m sure you've heard of the 10 000 hour-rule - the idea that in order to master a certain skill, you must first put in 10 000 hours of practice. And not just any practice - efficient, quality practice. So let’s break this down further. Apart from simply mastering a certain skill, are there other perks that come along with practicing efficiently? Is it possible to get some extra benefits to supplement your end goal? Of course it is, so let’s talk about them! STAYING MOTIVATED One of the main reasons musicians plan their practice...
