Practicing Piano: The Key To Making Amazing Progress

As one who has coached people on piano for over four decades, if I had to pinpoint the biggest obstacle to a person's (child or adult) not getting the most out of their piano practicing experience - or, on the more positive side of the coin what ingredient is truly responsible for their gaining the most from their experience - I think I could reduce my answer to just a word.

Although a number of factors may come into play - the student/teacher relationship, the piano method being used, the parents' attitude toward the student, the distraction of other interests... the list could go on and on - there is one factor that is powerful enough to eradicate any and all of these barriers.

I am referring to the power of FASCINATION.

If one is truly to be inspired by his or her involvement with any activity, it has to be a very personal experience. It must include self-initiative. Their needs to exist an "inner fire" for what one is doing.

Sure, a compatible teacher can support and nurture that. A parent can encourage that, or course. But it must come from within.

Encouragement: The Genuine Kind

So, perhaps the answer doesn't lie in repeatedly discipline little Mary by telling her to go practice her lesson. Or, if you are an adult, maybe it's not the best approach to simply discipline yourself to sit at that piano more often when you really don't want to.

Discipline has its place, yes. However, it also can imply discomfort - or even pain - to some. Question: when it comes to a creative activity, what role does discomfort have with bringing the best out of an individual?

Perhaps discipline is not where the focus needs to be for ultimate effectiveness.

If, instead, the spotlight is placed on the level of fascination that one is capable of, then things automatically change for the better. I know this to be true based on my personal experience.

Most people who know me personally - and those who eventually invest anytime with me on a musical level - would likely view me as a rather creative musician. Piano improvisation has always fascinated me on all levels, including melodic embellishment, reharmonization, and original improvisation. I genuinely love creating at the piano keyboard.

Now, here comes the twist...

Self-Initiative: There's No Substitute

I didn't get that way by doing everything my piano teacher prescribed... and I didn't get that way by doing what my parents demanded.

Yes, I had a weekly lesson that may have included some technical exercises, some scale work, and a song of the week. Sometimes, I would spend enough time with them to earn my teacher's approval. But the truth is that most weeks involved getting that reprimanding holler from down the hall that went something like, "Get in that room and practice your lesson!" Or "If you don't start practicing your lessons every day, those lessons are going to stop!" Usually, when I was actually in there sitting at the piano, I would hear, "Is that what George gave you to practice this week???!!" (They knew it wasn't) Along with that, "We're not paying for these lessons every week if you're not gonna practice what you're supposed to!"

I think the significant point here is the impact that those experiences actually had on me. There were the feelings of guilt, of course... feeling lousy about myself, and whatever other negative feelings tag along with that kind of reprimanding dialogue. (Don't get me wrong. To this day, I'm grateful that I was even provided the lessons by them.)

The Wrong Stuff Was Not So Wrong

However, on the other hand... yes, they were right, I wasn't usually practicing "what I was supposed to." Instead, I was playing other stuff, whether it was a favorite song I had already learned or perhaps my own attempt to play something I had heard on a recording.

However, that "stuff" that I wasn't prescribed by my piano teacher to play was what kept me wanting to sit at those keys! That "stuff" was what eventually led to my having a terrific musical ear. It was that "stuff" led to becoming an improvising pianist who loved to play. That "stuff" led to my becoming the kind of pianist other people wanted to hear. That "stuff" led to my being able to eventually earn some dollars playing at private events like weddings and other functions as well as cruise ships.

The most relevant fact here is this: that "stuff" was what I was fascinated with. It was what kept me going, what kept that spark alive, and what eventually led to my assuming the capacity of a private teacher who literally has a passion for sharing the joy of music with others.

What Fascinates You?

For a moment, reflect on something that once fascinated you. Maybe as a child, the first time you ever picked up a rock or pebble. Perhaps it was the first time you hugged a stuffed animal. How about the first time you watched a circus. A magician. A musician.

At that particular time, would you have needed the influence of any other individual to add to that amazement? Not a chance. It was in you. It was internal. You were living in the moment. The enthusiasm was yours. This makes perfect sense when you consider that the word enthusiasm itself means "inspired by God's essence."

Fascination is magic. It's the "elixir" that takes away any and all reasons for experience those practicing woes. It's the special ingredient that, when combined with action, causes sparks to fly and progress to manifest beyond any preconceived expectations.

Fascination is what makes it right.

Keep The Antennae Up

As a parent who truly desires to help your child get the most from his or her piano learning experience, place your focus on the youngster's areas of fascination. What kind of a response do you get when you bring up the subject of those piano lessons? Are your words of encouragement met with a smile and gleam in your child's eye? While practicing piano, is his or her attitude one of fascination or frustration?

Become receptive to how he or she talks about the piano teacher. Are the remarks usually favorable? You know, there is always a chance that a particular teacher may not be best suited for your child. That may not be the case, but just be open to it.

Is the lesson material something that excites this student? Do you find that it is often avoided in favor of playing other things on the piano like songs already learned or just playing around on the keys in various ways? Remember, the fascination - we're referring to what genuinely intrigues that little student to keep on playing should not be discounted but, instead, encouraged.

If you are an adult learner, everything being said here applies to you as well. What "sparks" you? What makes you really want to play? It may or may not be what a teacher subscribed to you. If you are teaching yourself, that method book might include some material that you are really having some fun with. But, if not, then explore other ideas. Practicing piano should always include something that intrigues you.

Does the idea of "practicing piano" make it feel like a chore? Then don't think about it as "practice." See it as "play" instead.

The important thing to remember here is that there is always another angle. Whatever fascinates you, expand on that. The same goes for your child when it comes to your encouragement.

A Super Motivator For Any Youngster

I remember learning the song "Alley Cat" as a youngster. Playing that tune brought me so much satisfaction as I learned to play it faster and faster. I recall the comments I used to hear coming from my folks talking with company in the kitchen. They would mention how fast I could play. That was a super motivator for me.

What would it have sounded like to a true musician? I have no idea. But it made me feel good.

Hint: if you want to motivate a little child, say positive things about his or her playing to others while in an environment that your words can be overheard by the little maestro. That serves as a dose of encouragement that is unsurpassed by anything else.

As a piano instructor, I've learned to be sensitive to this idea of fascination with my students. Whatever keeps them wanting to play and leads to their feeling good about themselves is where it's at. The better a person feels, the more inspired that individual will be. This applies to children as well as adults. Keep that in mind for yourself as well.

Having little tiny goals can be really powerful. The kind that can be achieved within a short period of time are especially effective with keeping the motivation up.

Keys To Enthusiasm & Creative Success While Practicing Piano

This was a primary reason I created 88 Keys To Learning. Each "key" provides a little something to focus on. Some of these are on the psychological side (enthusiasm, motivation, etc.) and others are actual physical actions that can be enjoyed at that piano or keyboard that break up a person's regular routine.

A parent or teacher can use these "keys" as a guide while encouraging a young student or an adult learner can most certainly nurture their way of thinking in creative ways. For example, have you ever considered playing two different scales at the same time, one with your left hand and the other with your right hand? It's just one little idea that can get your brain working a different way for a few seconds.

The "keys" are sure to lead to your creating your own versions of them (truly what I would hope for). You'll learn to add a whole new "twist" to your piano practice routine. If encouraging a child, you're both sure to have some fun with some of these ideas.

Becoming Engaged

What it really boils down to is immersing oneself... completely becoming engaged with what it happening... yes, living in the moment completely. When that happens, time stops. That's what fascination does. If you ever found yourself driving or walking down a country road and suddenly noticed a sunset that stopped you in your tracks, it wasn't something you could put a label on. Nor did you can to. You just experienced it while being in awe of the moment.

Being in awe of what's happening while at that piano or keyboard of yours is what we're talking about. Make that your number one goal - to be in awe. Yes, to become fascinated. Allow yourself to experience that state more and more. It won't only be you who gets the benefit. You'll serve as an example to all who come in contact with you.