About 7 years ago I started to learn to play the piano, thanks in part to people on this forum. To cut a long story short I passed my grade IV last year and am working on taking my grade V in 2012. I have a lesson about once per week but lately the lessons have dwindled to once every other week.

The thing is, at the moment I just do not feel like practising. sometimes I can practice on a wonderful Steniway model D, the concert grand and when I do I manage to do about 2 - 3 hours. However, at home on my trusted Technics P50 stage piano I always find an excuse not to practice.

Don't get me wrong, I do not want to give up. This is a journey that I want to continue to the day I die. I also want to learn music theory but just can not bring myself to do it.

Can anyone offer any advice on how I can motivate myself and continue to practice. The only way I will improve and learn is by practising. I know that in my mind and in my heart yet I struggle to get in front of the piano.

Any words of advice or encouragement?

Someone on this forum did say to me that learning to play the piano is like growing a tree in the garden, it will not happen over night.

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"Never put a recording studio in your home, it is a black hole into which you can pour unlimited amounts of money" Pete Waterman.

poor you, not having a concert piano in your living room. No wonder you don't want to practice....

listen, Nat King Cole had to paint the keys on his window sill to practice at home, that can't have been much fun - but he did it!

you've done well to get this far but now you don't need a kind word or two, you just need a kick up the arse!

Now get off said arse and practice - a sensible amount of time you can maintain every day.

Quote Baldo:

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However, at home on my trusted Technics P50 stage piano I always find an excuse not to practice.

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Can you not get hold of a proper upright piano?

You don't have to spend a lot - in fact, if you scour your local free ads, you might even find one for free... something someone's inherited through a family bereavement or house move, whatever ... or one bought for the little cherub who gave up after 6 months.

We got a freebie which served our little'un for many years until we bought something better for her when she started getting very good.

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

Are you an adult beginner? You've lasted longer than most!

But having said that - you're progressing FAR too slowly. Those grade exams are designed to be taken one-a-year by children who have to be forced to practice 30 minutes a day. You, with adult intellect, motivation and problem-solving skills should be progressing even faster! Some of it has to be done by rote, and consolidation takes time. But you're grown-up and can deal with this - you're not going to fade away if you don't get instant gratification, are you?

What you need is a reason to learn, and a reason to be playing. Organize a performance opportunity a week ahead, learn a new piece for it. Then another. And another. Your teacher will suggest suitable material.

Don't make excuses. Do it!

I know someone who wanted to write songs. Trouble is, she'd never finished one. I proposed we meet every available Tuesday evening and record a song. She could arrive with something completely worked out, or with just a snippet of an idea. No matter - the only rule was that when we stopped that evening the song had to be complete. Next week, a new one. I did her an incredibly cheap deal, as long as she kept it up. (Not quite free, or she wouldn't have taken it seriously.)

She (rather surprisingly) persisted. We ended up with a good few dozen songs. A handful were rather good. Her skills developed enormously. It didn't do my recording, playing and arranging skills any harm either :-)

Just do it.

i'll suggest something a bit different. first off - well done for sticking with it. the fact that you're even posting about this here shows you do care about it.

now, i'm a master procrastinator, but there are a few things that will get me practising no matter what.

first: playing stuff you like. this was always my biggest problem with the ABRSM grades - it's a fairly limited repertoire. do you like listening to and playing the grade material? if not, you're not going to want to practise. you'll get more out of half an hour playing something you love than four hours hacking away at something you've been told to learn. a great teacher knows how to find pieces that will challenge you and make you learn new techniques whilst still being something you like to do. maybe take yourself out of your comfort zone? try to play something in a genre you wouldn't normally go near. it can do wonders for your playing to break out of a stylistic dead end.

second: recording yourself. i'm a total perfectionist, so this works for me, but if you're not it might not have the same impact. anyway, record yourself playing. doesn't matter about the quality, just good enough that you can hear what you're doing. even an iPhone or something like that will be good enough. then play it back. one of two things will happen. one, you'll love what you hear and be re-vitalised into practising. two, you'll hate what you hear and be determined to practise so you don't suck so much like i said, number two works a lot for me because i'm a perfectionist...

third: having something more important to do. classic reverse psychology. if practise is becoming a chore, you need to do some displacement. find something else, like your tax return or mowing the lawn, and make that the chore. then practise will be what you do to put off doing the taxes

i would say stop blaming the stage piano. if it's got keys, it should be enough. of course it's nicer to play the grand, but you're just making an excuse. the theory thing is another issue. i'd say that if you can read music to the level of passing grade IV you probably know enough to skip it unless you're determined to go past grade V. in which case, DO NOT GO STRAIGHT INTO GRADE V THEORY. biggest mistake people make. get the excellent Eric Taylor books and work through them from grades 1 up. yes, you will fly through the first couple of grades, but the books are only £2.50 each and if you don't have a thorough understanding of the basics grade V will be much, much harder.

take heart. most people who try to learn at any age over 18 give it up when they realise it's a lifetime of work to be any good. you seem to have realised this and are still at it, so don't give up now when you've come so far.

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hourglass | random thoughts | doubledotdash!? collective

Quote onesecondglance:

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first: playing stuff you like. this was always my biggest problem with the ABRSM grades - it's a fairly limited repertoire. do you like listening to and playing the grade material?

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I HOPE we can assume that he's not spending two years working at the same grade pieces! If this is the case, give me the teacher's address so I can have a firm word with him! If you're up to standard for a certain piece, how on Earth can it take more than a few weeks to learn it? Even when I was teaching kids, they never got the grade pieces until the term before the exam. If they needed longer, they weren't ready.

unfortunately, i have known all too many teachers whose idea of "repertoire" was being able to play all the pieces listed for any given grade. it was as if printed music didn't exist outside the system...

then people wondered why i played the guitar so much... cos i played what i wanted to

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hourglass | random thoughts | doubledotdash!? collective

I found this article about motivation quite interesting, might help you: http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2010/05/how-and-when-to-motivate-yours.html

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www.facebook.com/owenduffmusic / http://soundcloud.com/owenduff / www.owenduff.co.uk / http://www.youtube.com/clothmotherrecords

I am a 50something adult learner. I recently bought a Yamaha P155, the action of which is close enough to that of a real piano, for me at least (Grade 6) and makes practicing much more satisfying....

Hey, here's an idea. Why not play the fekkin thing? Exams ain't the goal, they're a means to an end. The goal is to play. So play.

Stop practising and start playing. I haven't "practised" in 20 years ( apart from working out new sections or phrases/actions). But I "play" for many hours a day.

Quote narcoman:

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Hey, here's an idea. Why not play the fekkin thing? Exams ain't the goal, they're a means to an end. The goal is to play. So play.

Stop practising and start playing. I haven't "practised" in 20 years ( apart from working out new sections or phrases/actions). But I "play" for many hours a day.

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Couldn't have put it better myself. I trained for years on the violin. Got to grade 5. I hated practicing. Every minute was a chore for me. I haven't picked up a fiddle since my Music 'O' level back in 1987.

The piano on the other hand is a different beast. I have never had any classical training on one but could happily sit at one for hours. (if my wife would let me )

Maybe give the exams a break for a bit. And simply play some music you enjoy to get your passion back. I am lucky because I find playing by ear very easy. If you don't, pick up some music you like off the internet.

You've got to enjoy playing your instrument. If you don't enjoy it, there's no point playing it IMHO.

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And Bagpuss, once he was asleep, was just a saggy old cloth cat.

A couple of others have touched on it but you really need to identify the reasons WHY you need to practice. Without really good reasons you might always struggle with motivation.

What is it that you want to achieve on the piano? Are there specific pieces you want to learn? Any venues you'd like to play at? layers you want to emulate? Have a really good think.

This will lead you into the next step. What YOU need to practice. Knowing why will give you some goals and you'll need to practice certain things to get there - it's different for everyone so make sure you practice what you need to not what a book tells you to.

Good luck and most of all, enjoy your practice!

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Mike Saville
www.howtopractice.com

Quote narcoman:

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Stop practising and start playing. I haven't "practised" in 20 years ( apart from working out new sections or phrases/actions). But I "play" for many hours a day.

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Hmmm, not sure I can agree with this. The sentiment may be a good one. Hoever there is for me a definite difference between playing and practising. Playing is what most people do and they confuse this with practice. Practice is something planned and thought through to make your playing better - very few musicians actually do this. Playing is doing stuff you can already do.

Most have a vague idea of what they want to work on, are not quite sure how to do and even if they did do it wouldn't know when they got there.

However you think of it in your own mind it's important not to confuse simply playing with an activity that will actually make you better - i.e. proper practice.

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Mike Saville
www.howtopractice.com

Quote Mike Saville:

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Quote narcoman:

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Stop practising and start playing. I haven't "practised" in 20 years ( apart from working out new sections or phrases/actions). But I "play" for many hours a day.

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Hmmm, not sure I can agree with this. The sentiment may be a good one. Hoever there is for me a definite difference between playing and practising. Playing is what most people do and they confuse this with practice. Practice is something planned and thought through to make your playing better - very few musicians actually do this. Playing is doing stuff you can already do.

Most have a vague idea of what they want to work on, are not quite sure how to do and even if they did do it wouldn't know when they got there.

However you think of it in your own mind it's important not to confuse simply playing with an activity that will actually make you better - i.e. proper practice.

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Of course, life isn't a ladder. (That's just BS we feed kids to keep them in school:-) You're under no obligation to keep striving, keep progressing. Reaching a plateau, just playing at the level you're at, enjoying the view for a bit is just fine! When a challenge arises (or you get bored and fancy creating one for yourself) work out a strategy to achieve it.

What can I say? There is certainly a lot of valuable advice here. First of all let me begin by thanking everyone for their contribution. They are all encouraging, even the ones that are a kick up the back side!!!

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“poor you, not having a concert piano in your living room. No wonder you don't want to practice....”

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This did make me laugh Fletcher. What I was getting at was that when I have some nice toys to play with I can play for hours but I am sure you know that. Life is just tough sometimes. I am grateful that at least I get to practice on a wonderful instrument even some of the time.

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Can you not get hold of a proper upright piano?

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Unfortunately not Hollowsun, space prevents me from doing that at the moment. Maybe in my next place this is a possibility.

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Are you an adult beginner? ?

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I am, Exalted Wombat. I may have progressed rather slowly but that has been my choice. There are plenty of other deadlines and targets in my life so I do not want to put myself under un-necessary pressure. There is no hurry. If it takes me 20 years to get to grade V it takes me 20 years, so be it. This is not a race or a competition.
That said though, I do want to progress and get better and the only way that will happen is if I practice.

Onesecondglace, a lot of what you said resonates with me.
My piano teacher is great, he lets me choose what I play, within reason of course. If something is too difficult he will tell me and advise against it. I do like some of the grade material.

As far as learning philosophy goes, I believe that I will pass the grades by becoming a good pianist, I will NOT become a good pianist by passing the grades. My teacher agrees with me and he is not trying to rush me through the grades. BTW did I mention that he use to be an Examiner!!!
Recording myself is a great idea, infact I do it with a Zoom HD2 when I practice on the concert grand . I should perhaps listen to myself to see how I sound.

Not sure about doing other chores though, I always end up doing those instead of practising.

We are both spot on with theory, I already have the Eric Taylor books and ABRSM work books for grade 1-5. I do plan on working through them one grade at a time and not dive in to grade V.

Thanks for the link OD23, it is very inspirational.
Gone to Lunch, I wonder if I should get a new stage piano but then I think that is just another excuse. My Technics is fine and in any case I can always use the concert grand, sometimes.

Narcoman, I have to say that I disagree with you. Practising is about learning to play. How can I play if I have not practised? Unless I play really easy pieces that I did years ago but that will not expand my repertoire.

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What is it that you want to achieve on the piano?

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Mark Saville, Thanks for your advice. My answer is that I want to be able to express musical ideas on a piano / keyboard the way I express myself with words on a computer. Ok this is a big ask but hey I have to have a goal. Perhaps I will never be as articulate as I am with words but I will at least be able to play and read music.

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Reaching a plateau, just playing at the level you're at, enjoying the view for a bit is just fine!

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I agree Exalted Wombat. My plan is to get to grade VI standard and then start learning Jazz piano, but that is another ladder to climb up just for the fun of it.

Thanks again to everyone for your words and advice. It is encouraging and even drafting this response helps me to articulate in my own mind what I want to do.

Ok, I am now off to practice for an hour.

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"Never put a recording studio in your home, it is a black hole into which you can pour unlimited amounts of money" Pete Waterman.

Life seems to me more like going up on a down escalator. You have to keep moving to stand still and you have to work harder to make progress. It may not be compulsory, but it's a human instinct to thrive rather than survive. Most people who have achieved great things keep on achieving more. Onward and upward, I say!

Quote Mike Saville:

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Quote narcoman:

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Stop practising and start playing. I haven't "practised" in 20 years ( apart from working out new sections or phrases/actions). But I "play" for many hours a day.

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Hmmm, not sure I can agree with this. The sentiment may be a good one. Hoever there is for me a definite difference between playing and practising. Playing is what most people do and they confuse this with practice. Practice is something planned and thought through to make your playing better - very few musicians actually do this. Playing is doing stuff you can already do.

Most have a vague idea of what they want to work on, are not quite sure how to do and even if they did do it wouldn't know when they got there.

However you think of it in your own mind it's important not to confuse simply playing with an activity that will actually make you better - i.e. proper practice.

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ah - but it serves the playing; not the other way round. That's the point. If you think of the piano as a chore to be overcome - then what's he point? Unfortunately - most people think practising is going through set pieces, runs and scales!

Quote Baldo:

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Narcoman, I have to say that I disagree with you. Practising is about learning to play. How can I play if I have not practised? Unless I play really easy pieces that I did years ago but that will not expand my repertoire. .

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.... you've completely failed to understand the point !! If it's a chore - you will never "play". Get your "practising" to serve YOU - not the other way round. Take it from someone who earns a living from playing, not practising.

Note the difference between playing and "playing"....as in "be into what you're doing".

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My plan is to get to grade VI standard and then start learning Jazz piano, but that is another ladder to climb up just for the fun of it.

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What's stopping you from starting playing jazz, this very evening, as soon as you get home from work...?

I think the big question has to be - what music would make you want to play? (And indeed, *NEED* to play...) Is it classical, jazz, boogie-woogie, Jim Steinman, Freddie Mercury, or what? What would make you go through the day looking forward to getting home and practising? If you're not playing that music now, then most reasons (especially "I'm only Grade whatever") are just excuses.

Granted, the fire *will* come and go a bit. That's life. Playing in a band (or orchestra) is a good way of mitigating this, bcos at the very least you're forced to spend one evening a week playing. Plus it pushes you technically an amazing amount.

OK, at first I thought this was one of those snarky joke-postings, but it turns out to be real.

If you're playing for fun & hobby, but aren't enjoying it, then why do it at all? Perhaps you're lacking motivation because you're not enjoying doing it. I'd say it's time for a new hobby.

Kerry

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What's stopping you from starting playing jazz

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there is nothing specifically stopping me from playing Jazz this very evening, (I have played some jazz pieces in the past) the same way there is nothing stopping me from trying to play for Manchester United!

Let's not try and conquer the world in one go. I want to reach my limit with classical piano and then switch to learn jazz. Lets not try and do everything all at once. This is a life long pursuit and it is good to have a plan and something to aim for.

I hope that I am making sense here.

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"Never put a recording studio in your home, it is a black hole into which you can pour unlimited amounts of money" Pete Waterman.

Quote Baldo:

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Let's not try and conquer the world in one go. I want to reach my limit with classical piano and then switch to learn jazz. Lets not try and do everything all at once. This is a life long pursuit and it is good to have a plan and something to aim for.

I hope that I am making sense here.

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You're making sense, but it makes no sense! You can't "finish" classical then move to jazz, music just isn't like that! Every aspect feeds on and nurtures the rest.

Just a gentle reminder. You're here because YOUR way wasn't working :-)

Can you "learn" jazz ?
Classical is great for acquiring technique which you may need to play what you really want to play, but the skill of making -it-up-as-you-go-along can't be taught. The only way to develop a creative process is to keep doing it. Sometimes when I'm doodling I hear something I can't play - I know how I want it to sound but I don't have the technical skill. So I figure out the fingering and practice that because I want to. It's enjoyable because I want to do it. Play your own jazz now, find your own sound, create something original and new, and you'll motivate and teach yourself. Simple, original and with authentic emotion beats flash every time.
Bill Evans -The Creative Process And Self-Teaching ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEHWaGuurUk&feature=related
Keep it simple, tune in and technique will come of itself.
Enjoy the now.

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Music is it's own reward .

Quote DaveFry:

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Can you "learn" jazz ?
Classical is great for acquiring technique which you may need to play what you really want to play, but the skill of making -it-up-as-you-go-along can't be taught.

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Rubbish! Only people who DON'T do it take this sort of mystical attitude. Practical musicians know that all styles of playing respond to analysis and practice. Whether you're learning by listening to and imitating your favourite players, or following a more structured course of instruction at Berklee, you're learing and you're being taught.

Quote Baldo:

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I hope that I am making sense here.

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Making total sense to me, Baldo.

Practicing is a means to an end. The more fluent you become at playing scales and arpeggios, etc., with ease, in any and every key, in left/right unison, in opposition, in intervals of thirds and sixths, etc., between both hands (however dull and tedious that MAY seem), the easier it will be to play the music you want to play so that you can just do it without thinking and not having the frustration of having to work out the best way to do it.

Think of it like decorating a room - the work is in the preparation. Get that sorted and the job's a lot easier than having to stop and bugger about with each obstacle you run up against.

I'm a fine one to talk. I had piano lessons when I was a kid and like so many people, didn't see the point in scales and arpeggios and playing classical music. BORING!!! And I gave up (my teacher was a cruel and sadistic bitch so that didn't help either).

But I now have a young daughter. She showed some aptitude on a little Casio keyboard as a toddler picking out tunes so we started her with piano lessons when she was about 7 or so. She's 13 now and Grade 8 and I can see the method in the madness - there's a reason for all the boring scales and tedious arpeggios and chromatic runs, etc.. It builds and reinforces 'muscle memory' so your fingers just fall in the right place at the right time without you thinking about it, it makes you familiar with all key signatures so that you don't have to think how to play/finger something when you see three sharps or six flats on the left of the manuscript - it just happens - and by playing these scales and arps properly, fluidly and evenly, it teaches you time keeping. And all the contrary motion scales, etc., develops left/right co-ordination. Bit by bit, developing in complexity grade by grade.

Also, a lot of music/melody IS scales and arpeggios (especially in the classical canon) and arpeggios are 'broken chords' so they teach you all the chords as well so when you're presented with something, you don't think "How the f'ck do I play this?" and have to work it out, your brain (subconsciously) tells you "Amin second inversion arpeggio to a IV-I cadence in the left with a descending chromatic run in the right" and all that muscle memory and fingering you acquired in those tedious practice sessions just come into play and you can just 'do it' without having to work out how to do it, note by tedious note and figuring out the fingering and the co-ordination, etc..

In other words, the tedious 'off-line' (for want of a better description) practice sessions now mean you don't have to have tedious practice sessions for each and everything you're faced with in the future (IYSWIM). That's the big difference between my daughter and I - I have to work out every little riff or chord progression and figure out how best play it and practice it; she can just play it!

I used to think the classical regime was stultifying and even restrictive but if you can see it through, my god it will pay off dividends in the end. I envy my little'un's ability to just sit down and play pretty much anything you throw at her when I have to work everything out ... and still f'ck it up and/or play it badly!

Of course, she has youth on her side - brain like a sponge and fresh new limb co-ordination to train. It's harder when you're older, of course. But also, she has us to say "Come on - practice time". Do you have someone there to say the same to you and hold you to it and not accept any excuses, someone to force you to do the tedious shite? That's a very significant factor which kids maybe have but which adult learners don't.

Sorry for the long ramble but I have had a complete and utter 180º turnaround of my opinion of a classical training now that I have seen it in action. As I say, there is a method in the madness and it is carefully structured to develop technique and the ability to 'play' without thinking... much like most of us drive a motor vehicle. In fact, that's not a bad analogy - you do the tedious lessons and learn how to negotiate a roundabout or reverse park or turn right across oncoming traffic... you don't have to pull over and work out how to do it every time you encounter a new motoring situation in a town you've not visited before. Ok ... maybe not the best analogy but I am sure you get the gist!

Don't let the Technics put you off. It's not ideal maybe but (to continue the motoring analogy) it's a bit like saying you can't take a driving lesson because it's only a Ford Ka and you had a go in a Bentley - the basic principles are common. I understand why you can't accommodate an upright. Understood.

Do try and stick with it, Baldo - you're doing well. Yes - it can be tedious and boring but it's a means to an end and will pay off in the end if you can persevere. Having good technique will open so many more avenues to explore. And if you can't motivate yourself, maybe you have someone who can say "It's 7pm - come on ... practice time" and who will not take 'no' for an answer.

Go for it! You've got this far - go the extra mile.

Sorry to ramble and not trying to lecture ... just sharing my observations as a once cocky teenager who thought he knew best, gave it up and now struggles to play anything compared with someone who has run the course and can play effortlessly like a demon ... and who will only get better!

Good luck!

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

Hollowsun,

This so called ramble has to be the best, most encouraging and inspiration post that I have read. Thanks ever so much for taking the time to articulate your thoughts on this.

I agree with you 100%. I could comment on your points 1 by 1 but think that is not necessary. 3 words are enough, I agree wholeheartedly.

I try and spend about 15 mins doing scales & arps and at least 15 mins doing sight reading at almost every practice session. Scales & arps are boring but easy. Sight reading is a challenge so it is the one thing that I devote the most amount of time to.

People find classical rather structured and stifling but I, like you, believe that it will pay huge dividends down the line.

thanks again for your wise and encouraging words.

BTW you have done an excellent job in managing to get your daughter to grade 8. That is something that you should be proud of. You have also given her a very special an valuable skill that will enrich her for life. well done on that.

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"Never put a recording studio in your home, it is a black hole into which you can pour unlimited amounts of money" Pete Waterman.

Edited by Baldo (05/08/10 08:20 AM)

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Can you "learn" jazz? ... The only way to develop a creative process is to keep doing it.

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The way to play jazz is (a) to listen to good jazz and hear what they're doing, and (b) start playing a lot of very bad jazz yourself until you've figured out what does and doesn't work.

Baldo, I get what you're saying. But you're only developing one skill here, which is keyboard technique. Improvising is a whole new skill in itself. Now you could spend 20 years learning classical, but then you'd literally have to come right back to "do-re-mi" kind of exercises for improvising.

It's an incredibly common problem for amateur classical players. If you look at pro-level players, they're *always* the ones involved in improvising and creating - in fact, they're required to do that if they're studying music. But at lower skill levels there's a *HUGE* problem where people get taught instrument skills to grade 7 without having ever deviated from the dots in front of them. And after 10-15 years of that, they find that they're literally unable to do anything else - the concept of playing anything not written down is completely alien.

To avoid this trap, it's a very good plan to bake improvisation and "playing around" into your schedule *now*. Otherwise you probably aren't going to be playing jazz in 20 years time - and if you're losing enthusiasm with your current path, you might not even be playing anything in 20 years time.

There's a very simple response to all this! People who WANT to improvise at the keyboard will be doing it already, and were probably doing it before they ever had a lesson. How could anyone have possibly stopped them? Why would you even think of taking lessons unless you were the sort of person who couldn't walk past a piano without annoying everyone with "chopsticks"?

Just do it!

Quote Mike Saville:

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Practice is something planned and thought through to make your playing better - very few musicians actually do this. Playing is doing stuff you can already do.

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Wise words.

Quote Baldo:

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Hollowsun,

This so called ramble has to be the best, most encouraging and inspiration post that I have read. Thanks ever so much for taking the time to articulate your thoughts on this.

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Quote Baldo:

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I try and spend about 15 mins doing scales & arps and at least 15 mins doing sight reading at almost every practice session. Scales & arps are boring but easy. Sight reading is a challenge so it is the one thing that I devote the most amount of time to.

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You're not alone. Just keep at it - it gets easier over time. I say that as a frustrated observer rather than as one who actually ran the course.

But it's like everything in life - it's a struggle at first but gets better with practice.

Quote Baldo:

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People find classical rather structured and stifling but I, like you, believe that it will pay huge dividends down the line.

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Yup. The little'un's playing pop tunes, Gershwin and Porter show tunes, Harry Potter and other film themes, making up her own tunes ... all because she has 'the grounding'. I can vamp and improv better than her (she's only 13) but she'll get that as well in time and no doubt leave me standing.

Quote Baldo:

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thanks again for your wise and encouraging words.

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I am very happy to have helped in whatever small way. DO stick with it - you know it makes sense!

Quote Baldo:

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BTW you have done an excellent job in managing to get your daughter to grade 8. That is something that you should be proud of. You have also given her a very special an valuable skill that will enrich her for life. well done on that.

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I can't take the credit for it - it's down to her! She's down there now, effortlessly rattling through scales. Makes me sick!

Errmmm ... she's also Grade 8 violin and Grade 6 viola!!!

I'll get my coat!

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

Edited by hollowsun (05/08/10 02:39 PM)

Quote hollowsun:

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Errmmm ... she's also Grade 8 violin and Grade 6 viola!!!

I'll get my coat!

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It helped Sherlock Holmes solve crimes!

Many musician friends of mine say scales are a waste of time, but I used to find them quite theraputic - at least I was doing something. rather than default to the phrases, licks that fell under my fingers more easily, the scales force a wider dexterity in so much that my fingers go more comfortable with going up past the 5th fret.

But the older I have got, the less inclined I am to do regular practice and just do what I like to do rather than what is more rigorous. I agree wholeheartedly with your exhaustive comments made in an earlier post - the scales, arpeggios and formal practice are the foundation of music, whatever endeavour we may choose, there is unfortunately the mundane preparation.

My mum used to say she never knew anyone take so long over doing so little, doodling and noodling over the same old licks. When I did get into more formal learning and scales etc, the benefits later on in my musical life were profound - if a singer wanted to have a song in a different key, no problem.