The Art of Practicing
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The Very Basics of Learning a Piece
Rhythm & Pulse
Have I determined the pulse & am
I tapping out the rhythm?
Key-
What key are you playing
Note reading
Have I looked for patterns while
reading? Have I played the mel-
ody alone and then the harmony?
Form-
Will help you break down into
into practice parts. As I read through
the piece I can understand how the
composer put the piece together.
Fingering
Articulation (staccato & Legato)
What is the composer saying? Am I
playing the melody using articulations
that will create a sound picture?
Dynamics (loud & soft)
Have I added sound colors to create a
piece that has shadings and
highlights.
When you have identified these components of the piece you are ready for phase two.
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Getting your piece ready for performance
Drop and Give Me Five
Don’t be afraid to drill small parts.
A. Center start and black hole gravity
B. Time Limits 3-5 minute drills.
C. Break up sections with rhythm
changes.
D.Chunk a section, then evalute.
Finding Flow
1.Start Slow and define problem areas.
2.What technic would be useful for the
difficult area?
3.Begin to increase tempo by varying
the tempo to move you faster but keep
you in control.
Artistic work
1. Are you creating shades of color?
2. Is your articulation communicating
the nature of the music?
3. Are you breathing just like a singer
would?
4. Are your gestures sharing the nature
of the piece with the audience?
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Becoming a Master Musician
We all have the ability to become the master of our instrument. We each can feel we are creating something beautiful and worthwhile. More to come int he following months.