02/06/2024
There’s this *gorgeous* little misconception that abounds which is to do with learning a musical instrument.
It’s to do with music being an enjoyable thing to do, as if every aspect of it is some form of entertainment.
We take it as read that the ability to play music to a good level is highly enjoyable. And playing in ensemble with other musicians is just a beautiful thing to do! But let’s just put a couple of things straight.
🎹 It’s so much fun to play the piano all the time.
Actually, efficient piano practice is the utter opposite of just playing music through. It’s a highly disciplined, very intellectual activity that focusses on improvement and unpicking problems, strategically getting them better over time. It involves repetition and evaluative skills.
It’s taken me very many years to enjoy the mindfulness of dedicated practice; the practice that ultimately allows you the freedom to let music speak.
Now I can’t get enough, but have such limited time!
🎹 You’re so talented!
Thank you! That’s really kind of you!
But here’s an analogy: when you say to a singer, “you’ve got such a lovely voice”, essentially you’re commenting on their anatomy. The dedication that it takes to develop and hone that voice is to be applauded. After all, you can own a Stradivarius violin, but have no idea how to play it!
So talent is fabulous, and this is undoubtedly a compliment, but I’ve known several talented individuals who are most definitely seriously held back because of their unwillingness to commit to the art.
🎹 I’m sure it’ll be fine if she just has piano lessons and doesn’t do much in between.
Of course - but the progress will be so slow that it will become off-putting. Piano practice is to do with building neural pathways so that fluency is created. This requires “little and often” practice, with a focus on the latter. Similarly, piano practice is about developing the musculature so that the physical body can gain control and facility. This comes from regular practice: at least five times per week.
