Figuring Out Your Practice Routine | What are your options? [1/3]

This is part 1 of a 3 part series:
Part One → (this video)
Part Two → • How to Choose What to ...
Part Three → • How to practice effect...
This is the first "module" in our new series on learning to play piano. The goal of these 3 lessons is to help you understand the different skills you'll need to become a good player, and how to make sure that when you sit down to practice you're actually improving and not just wasting time.

[@bonormayambem7476]

I wish you still made videos. It's 2019 and I found you this year.. So incredible

[@Summer0771]

Saaaame :( do you think he'll ever come back?

[@nykal1510]

@@Summer0771 Ya wish.

[@napppstar0]

He started making more lifestyle videos on a different channel with his brother and has mentioned eventually coming back to this one

[@michaelsmusic3532]

Yes ... more music lessons >

[@Brennannnnnnnnn]

He’s Back!

[@micahbenally5139]

Bruh! You make a 20 minute video seem like six or seven and you're talking about super technical things too! glad to see you back and looking forward to your future lessons!

[@MichaelNew]

Ha, that's comforting :) I'm always worried when I upload these 20+ minute videos thinking "lol no one is going to watch this whole thing".

[@austinpeavyhouse8567]

Michael New I love your longer videos, In my book the longer the better. :)

[@supremeone1014]

+Michael New i would watch a 60 min vid

[@austinpeavyhouse8567]

That be would awesome! 😀

[@taskerman11]

Totally watch the whole thing ;-) Great work with the videos. They are very helpful for a team of musicians I lead with simplicity brought to complex topics. Keep it up!

[@austinhefflefinger478]

Dude, you're so right. More than 20yrs ago I started this journey, and the path I chose (doing what I IMAGINED a touring musician does to learn) did NOT lead where I wanted to end up. I've been trying to explain this to my son. IT MATTERS HOW you practice and IT MATTERS WHAT you practice in terms of what you want to be able to do in the end. If you just want to enjoy playing songs for yourself, just learning songs might be great for you. But, if you want to write songs, or be able to play with anybody in your chosen genre at a jam (or someone's guitar player broke their arm and they need someone to sit in tomorrow night), or be a session player...those ends all have paths to get there. They may overlap here and there, but if you take the wrong path you'll never reach your goal. I hope your students listen...if someone would have told me this in the beginning I would be in a completely different place right now...and not starting over.

[@dallyvfx3d]

i imagine it was alot harder to learn piano back then without youtube, try cutting yourself some slack

[@johnnycameron3201]

My 2hr a day practice routine: (Im a guitarist btw) Day 1: - Technique & Exercises (30 mins) - Repertoire (30 mins) - Ear Training (20 mins) - Theory (20 mins) - Sight Reading (20 mins) Day 2: - Technique & Exercises (20 mins) - Scales (20 mins) - Chords (20 mins) - Rhythm & Timing (20 mins) - Songwriting/Composition (20 mins) - Improvisation (20 mins) I divide the times by 2 if I only have one hour to practice, like on a school night.

[@johnespy585]

Thank you for this.. it's like you came into my frame of thought perfectly today ... this is exactly what I needed and looking forward to the rest of this !!! Synchronicity at its best much love and carry on as you do!! ❤️

[@effective_cmpote]

John Espy i actually googled 'proper practing techniques' 2 days ago. 24 hrs later he ups the third part of this - leadimg me to find the 1st. yes synchronicity.

[@artrat2250]

You have extraordinary communication skill. It's an absolute pleasure to learn something from you. Well thought out, to the point presentation. Absolutely great. Thank you.

[@maximummax7]

agreed

[@christopherboxford26]

Dude I absolutely love your teaching style, I imagine it's very hard for many to be able to grasp apart from very small doses but for those that can keep up you show people great insight into the bigger picture the practical, rational, approach to learning music as a whole not just any single instrument. I wish more had your style so I wouldn't waste untold amounts of time watching youtube videos that barely manage to draw perspectives that you are able to communicate in mere paragraphs. Hats off to you sir.

[@metravismetravis2771]

Love your videos! One thing I will say is that someone trained in voice pedagogy IS able to tell exactly what's going on in your throat and with your resonators just by listening to you, without even having to look at you. I had a blind woman as a voice teacher for a little bit in college and the woman was sharp, she could tell what shape my mouth was in, what my posture was like, how much jaw tension I had, etc. just by listening. Food for thought!

[@bellad.3435]

Super interesting video -- I've been thinking a lot about this since trying to cross over from ONLY reading sheet music to playing "by ear." At first I felt I was starting "from scratch," though now I realize that it is not either/or and actually feel I have more tools to learn and store the information. By using all available methods (notation, visual, auditory, etc.) the process seems easier and more solidified. Looking forward to your other videos on this topic.

[@PlaybyRaine]

I am always in awe by the topics you focus on.. e.g. Muscle Memory, like 60% of my skill in anything sports or music stems from that.. and the way you understand people like me and your method of paving a new way to learning is really enlightening! it's amazing to find a person who understands music and difficult people (like me..) at the same time! thanks!

[@Richele444]

You're an amazing teacher! Wow! I'm so encouraged by what you covered in this video. I'm hopeful once again. THANK YOU SO MUCH. God bless.

[@RonieSaleh]

Very helpful to understand the overview 🙏

[@TreeDeku]

This should be a TED Talk. Absolute brilliance.

[@adityaswamy9647]

Your videos are some of the best videos about playing the piano 👌👌👌🔥🔥

[@Laurenscherer]

Trying to revisit my skills. Have fallen out of practice for the last few years, these vids are helpful!

[@jack.a.driscoll]

Looking forward to the next in the series, I have huge trouble structuring a practice schedule and always feel anxious I'm putting effort into the wrong places. This puts it into perspective!

[@ThatsPety]

Oh heck yeah. I can't support you on Patreon, but I can watch ads on your video over and over again lol

[@praz.official]

They get paid for every time someone clicks on the ad. Just click it, close the ad tab over and over. lol.

[@ThatsPety]

truuuuu I'm gonna start doing that lol

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

Very interesting indeed. Thanks Michael. You're right up there with the best teachers I've come across on KZbin.

[@thequacken7160]

Thank you for covering this topic, Michael. I struggle with effective practice, mostly because I get easily distracted. I know what my goals are, but figuring out how to meet those goals eludes me. I almost wish I had someone to tell me exactly what to practice each day, like a personal trainer. Can you please address this in your next video?

[@Yarbro45]

Great job on this video, this subject may not be that exciting to talk about but every musician must understand and reflect upon this

[@corymiller9742]

Wow. this couldn't have come out at a better time for me. Been really stuck on this. Thanks so much.

[@EJGilb]

Can't wait for the next parts, this is the kind of information i really need to hear, I only have limited practice but i want to get the most out of it and so far I've mainly been learning pieces by writing the notes under sheets, by ear & memorising the piece with muscle memory... teach me master yoda!

[@Linck192]

Man your videos are really enlightening, I definitely plan to support you on patreon in the future when I get more comfortable with money.

[@SimonMSvensson]

Woho! I'm so glad you're making a video again. You're learning style fits me perfectly. Keep it up! We appreciate your work.

[@alfonshomac]

hahah I want to build a bird house one day, so I'll just nail this 1000 nails into this board! Man, don't know about my cutting but my nailing will be on point!.

[@Anthony-sn9kl]

So grateful for this. Thank you.

[@hothempire]

This is exactly what I was looking for at this stage of my music/guitar education. Thank you Michael. Keep up the great content!

[@VincentBakker1964]

Great talk, clear and informative, insightful and thought inspiring. I too am struggling with getting the right practice routine working for me. I'm really eager to see the next two parts! Subscribed!

[@PlaybyRaine]

you woke me up.. I was watching a 10 minute piano lesson clip and it was good but made me sleepy.. you're so good at explaining things and very very animated in a unique way!

[@rehhn3313]

Thank you Michael New I really appreciate everything that you do regarding piano and music in general. You have truly inspired me and taught me a lot about by breaking it down I'm self taught and I've been playing almost three years now. My mother is classically trained and my sister can play anything by ear, however I learned by chords and watching tutorials. Currently I've composed about six or seven songs trying to figure out which direction I want to go. In addition, I played drums for about ten years before I decided to take up the piano I'm horrible at site reading but extremely creative. However I want to learn some classical pieces to play that I really enjoy. Keep making passionate videos and sharing your knowledge of music. ;-)

[@rocksnshit]

Your point about 'mistakes in performance are a product of something else down the line' is obviously valid, but there's more to it than that. I feel that I need to 'practice' the performance part of it. Most of my performance just involves making a video of myself playing. But I can be totally comfortable playing through a piece, but then as soon as cameras roll I just choke. Basically just a digital version of performance anxiety. It would be cool if you could touch on this in one of your upcoming videos.

[@MichaelNew]

+Bob Gooday Yes, absolutely. I wasn't trying to imply that having a memory issue is the *only* reason you'll make mistakes, and performance issues can be a huge problem. I'd definitely like to cover that at some point.

[@nabasaikia6575]

Bob Gooday

[@nabasaikia6575]

Bob Gooday

[@brianbjur4796]

I think "sequencing" could be considered under the Method section. Basically the description of the piano roll, manually entering the notes onto a chart to be animated. I love this stuff!

[@MackenzieTaylor]

Wow, this was fascinating. Can't wait for next week's video!

[@eduardomoreno987]

Neat 😊 Thank you. "Source, Method, Storage, Performance".

[@chetanaofficial]

OMG. The thing that I needed the most is now here. I am so happy!!!!!! Thank you Michael!

[@TheRazor6996]

I like the way you disassembled learning to play music) thank you very much, great series

[@ClaudiaGomezMusic]

Thank you for your good analysis of this complicated process of playing music

[@bochini1]

I was wondering what "sonice" was, but it was source. Thanks for your legacy, now that you stopped doing this type of videos, whatever you do, you'll be great.

[@colehunt3478]

Thank you Good sir!! I have been looking for a great way to really make a plan of attack so that my practice is not in vain. I believe that I have found it here with you. 10/10

[@michaelsmusic3532]

YES !!!! Learn the solo to Ride the Lightning !!! \m//

[@The_PlagueDoctor]

I missed you♥

[@ylluminarious151]

Thanks a lot for the insight and advice on this. I'm excited to hear about this stuff in relation to composing one's own music, since that's what I'm working on right now.

[@demonsawakening]

thank you, clear and easy to understand. looking forard to future parts

[@ChrisBrugman]

Great video. I have been playing guitar casually as a hobby for more than 20 years. I would definitely say that storage is something I would love to work on. I read a lot of tab and music off the internet but it rarely just sticks. Some of the songs I can play from my memory are ones that I practiced doing that with specifically. I will be very interested in seeing what you have to say about storage and things that you use to improve it.

[@brians.5597]

so excited for the next installment in this series. :D

[@benjaminfowler2457]

You’re the best music teacher on the internet.

[@lilvana4729]

thank you!

[@tomeravshalom5963]

Thank you for this michael! waiting for next lesson on this topic

[@effective_cmpote]

thank you so much. you saved me years of fatal structuring.

[@bobbinkle1386]

Great talk! Felt like I went for a consultation in-person.

[@mrlabon123]

Thank you Micheal. Needed this. And please try to upload more :) haha

[@facundoarias9602]

You're the best music youtuber out there...

[@miralupa8841]

Good to have you back, Michael! How's the Barrios piece coming along?

[@The_PlagueDoctor]

I want to learn how to use the tools of music theory and proper form/technique so I can get to the point where "practice" seems like improve, therefore I am still learning my scales, modes, whatever, while still being creative and figuring out what things sound good together and what doesn't c:

[@anzatzi]

I loved your theory videos, but this is rambling and digressive. The question is effective practice, not all possible ways to learn and express music. You are an experienced instructor, so make recommendations. A preliminary disclaimer that students learn in different ways will suffice. Good luck, Michael--your awesome!

[@sandrat9309]

Well... he did put "What are your options?" in the title. This is only the first of a 3 part series! I think it's super clear that he introduces all the options first and goes more in depth later

[@boyananakiev4896]

Can't wait for next week :)

[@NormanFernandezKeyboardPlayer]

Thanks for making lovely videos! Regards Norman

[@anamariaorozco9626]

Can you give me the shortest route to being able to do musical arrangements? I write lyrics and I am good at coming up with melodies to go with them. I don't want to go the route of using a chord progression as the starting point. I want to learn how to create an arrangement to a melody on one's head/mind

[@palwindersingh87]

You are awesome 🙏

[@FacePalmProduxtnsFPP]

very well explained sir

[@isaachgbeis]

dude thank you for doing this videos

[@havefundrawing]

Any advice on memorizing/recalling a piece better? I started watching your videos because I'm hoping by understanding music composition I can better memorize, retain the info and later recall the music. Any other idea that'll help? I"m definitely in the category you mentioned, "played a piece for years and years but could never commit 100% in memory."

[@NA-ms8rl]

Very well said.. completely agrre

[@elizabeth9841]

I'm shit at practice. I've been playing on my own for about a year and I play at a good standard, but that wont count for what I'm supposed to be working towards which is school qualifications if I don't boost my grades by working on stuff like technical skills and theory. I barely ever practice technical stuff, even though I know I should.

[@DavePawson]

Thanks. V.useful. I'm stuck on phase 3. Memory like a sieve?

[@thatdudebase]

I'm thinking if I should only study improv on guitar (a mix of jazz and classical) for the rest of this year. But is that a good idea if I've been playing acoustic guitar on and off for about 5 years on my own, following courses on justinguitar, and ultimately want to produce hip-hop beats, (mainly from scratch/sampling myself)?

[@oscaroscar7904]

I wish I knew notes on the guitar, I only use my ear, but I am having a hard time doing it as an hobby, I feel like I have used my practice time the wrong way all this time with tabs for a song, I guess learning notes by ear is a good thing, but its hard, or I can learn a song by ear, but I dont want that melody style with a thinner melody, I want the chords to ring out and have some melody over it, I tihnk it sounds much better to me, but its hard to write your own songs that way, I have been doing it for 1 year and feel like I have a bad memory, I guess I have learned the wrong way all this time.... (your video is good, but it kind of reminds me of those actors and there lines, everyone knows them but no one knows how they remeber them, I guess what works for you but still, maybe I should practice improv and continue to train my ear) but sometimes I feel like I am only doing it for good endurance training, and maybe I should quit, some people have diffrent intrest, or I dont remeber what they call those kind of people, but I feel your video could be more clear in the diffrent types of what works for diffrent people, like if people have a good ear, make them practice a melody and finding it themself, if they are a good reader or have a visual memory have them focus more on that etc, but its a good video

[@sky-jx1rk]

What i do if i cant memories anything easily, but am excellent in observation and analysation

[@ishan_r]

Nice handwriting 👏

[@blan514]

Thank you! Xxxx

[@belli9281]

What if you want to do everything?

[@fusiontricycle6605]

Can someone help me. I really want to compose a piece of music, but when I hear a melody in my head, I put it down on paper, and I can't find the inspiration to finish the piece of music.

[@chase9031]

Keep making videos

[@rose52152]

When do you think the next video is coming out?

[@MichaelNew]

Next Thursday is the plan. Wish me luck.

[@rose52152]

Awesome. Keep it up with the awesome videos.

[@chvy6268]

i really gotta start getting my shit together i only do repertoire

[@michelestieven3960]

What are you writing on? Do you have an XXL Magnetic Board on your desk? :D

[@geiadude]

I'll click on any ad for Michael

[@xRomethekittenx]

we're wearing the same shirt

[@linguaphilly]

La catedral! I see you're a man of culture as well 😏

[@icekurimu1688]

linguaphile in French it's LA Cathédrale

[@Silkroadgermany2]

LOL routine.. I've been just learning new songs for a year and a half 😅

[@icekurimu1688]

Silkroadgermany2 are you playing smoothly now?

[@averypowell975]

Just as a quick point about how this all relates to singing. You seem to not know all that much about how singers actually use many of the common methods you talk about in this video. For example you say that most singer use, how you put it, the auditory method of learning music, because you cant visually represent how to sing something, and you cant translate writen score to vocal music. however, both of these points are totally false! One of the biggest, if not the biggest, ways that vocal music educators teach their students is through the use of visual clues on how to produce the desired sound and pitch. Also the notion that singers cant use writen score to learn music is incredibly wrong. I can see how you might think this of like a pop singer, but sight reading sheet music is not only possible, its also incredibly common in choral settings. Just some more info for your future videos, incase you do one of the practice methods for vocal musicians.

[@Kudarat08]

Improv 😁

[@mandalayymca4953]

Hi Michael..i m ur utube student.i like ur lessons & theory. im teaching the piano at YMCA(Mandalay,Myanmar). if u have John Thompson easiest Piano Course part 5 to 8 because i have 1 to 4. if u have it could u send to my mail?

[@douglasaldridge1358]

New University Class of 2020

[@pablo12250]

This video is mis-titled. Has nothing to do with practice.

[@AlexJARL]

There really trying to show singing anatomically in thought😅

[@MrBoxingVideos]

I like your theory videos but this was long winded. If you want to get good at the piano, then practise playing the piano. It's really that simple.

[@insanedrummer89]

Or just play the damn instrument for fun. Practice is over rated just ask buddy rich. You will get better if you play, it's that simple.

[@PlaybyRaine]

I am always in awe by the topics you focus on.. e.g. Muscle Memory, like 60% of my skill in anything sports or music stems from that.. and the way you understand people like me and your method of paving a new way to learning is really enlightening! it's amazing to find a person who understands music and difficult people (like me..) at the same time! thanks!