How to Learn A New Piano Piece Quickly and Efficiently - Josh Wright Piano TV

[@Sapphire101MFS]

1. Split the piece into sections and then subgroups with starting points and practice until its perfect (subgroup can be one measure -> one line) 2. Work backwards (start the last section and move upwards) 3. Work right hand and left hand alone then join them 4. Check the tempo and use a metronome

[@markrogers783]

What if the piece is easier played with two hands, where the notes build off of the left or right? Is it still appropriate to practice hands separate?

[@ryandavid4906]

Thank you!! It's insane having to listen to this 10 min word salad when it could be summed up in the description!!

[@fansofst.maximustheconfess8226]

@@ryandavid4906 Yup, saving time is great stuff!

[@TimothéeRichard-r6w]

@@markrogers783 Of course because as doing it, you train your brain on all possibilities of playing the lines

[@PhongNguyen-uf8ls]

interesting points ,if anyone else needs to find out about best piano courses try EasyPianoLessons5.blogspot.com Ive heard some interesting things about it and my work buddy got great results with it.

[@joshwrightpiano]

Great question - when working on a tough passage, write in ALL of the fingering. It's tedious, but allows you to start anywhere with confidence, knowing you have the correct fingering. Even after 20 years of playing, I find this is a very helpful exercise on particularly difficult passages

[@billr848]

For me, it is writing out by pencil all the fingering to suit the ease of my hand, This always works with Bach who trains fingers better than anyone.

[@KeepingOnTheWatch]

Josh Wright Glad to know this can be done. I do this as well but always felt I was cheating. No more guilt now.

[@gunnarakerhielm6080]

O

[@thinhho93]

"From the beginning of the piece, the first few lines just so perfect, then the piece starts to fall apart as you go". This. I think Mr. Wright secretly watched me play....

[@beepbeep1836]

Ikr haha

[@graciellalee2477]

That was a informative article, here are a few more tips on how to play the piano… Try practicing about 1 hour a day, or just half an hour if you are very busy. Do extra practice whenever you have more time. For example, on weekends you can do more than 1 hour, like two or three, or even more. This is very helpful because it pulls you out of the routine of piano playing, and lets you practice more and perfect the pieces you play. Try not to look at the dynamics in a piece, as rules you cannot break. For example, if the piece starts with an 'mp' (mezzo-piano) it only means 'moderately soft' these dynamics don't have specific volume levels. If you are practicing, you don't need to play accordingly and then have a difficulty hearing yourself, you should only play as it tells you when you are actually trying to play it properly. Practice sight-reading and don't worry about making mistakes. This can be very helpful, because it's almost like scanning a paragraph and looking at the picture. It helps you to understand what the passage is trying to convey before you actually read it and lets you know what comes next. This is the same with music, and it can help you stop making mistakes. Pay close attention to your mistakes. Don't look at them as a burden, but instead as a pat on the back informing you what to avoid next time. (I discovered about these and more on Denelle piano lesson website )

[@mayzieltorres8539]

Hey everyone, the best success that ive had was by using the Turbo Piano Secret (just google it) definately the most incredible plan that I have ever followed.

[@candace6893]

if this is happening you you then after you make a mistake you probably restart from the beginning? or way further back then you should . over and over practicing the beginning it because amazing while the rest remains lousy. i’m currently trying to break this habit! my second day trying. start at your problems area. saved me so much time today! i corrected myself much easier

[@andreashoppe1969]

biggest mistake is to be "wanting to practice piano today" … and not touching a single key because of lazyness. Or wanting to practice step by step, but getting frustrated and only play the things you already know :D

[@em_.hay.]

I can so relate

[@dimitridehouck9506]

Lol that's so me.

[@loogey0375]

I'm pretty lazy, but I've learned more than I could chew about the piano. I guess some people just have the faith to actually learn how to play piano, instead of accepting laziness. I'm proud of anyone that has ever touched the piano and decided to learn it. It's a wonderful instrument as a whole.

[@raquelaraujo2947]

I am like that, but for the last 3~4 months i've developed a better system that protects me from my own lazyness. I still procrastinate a lot, but there wasn't more than 2~3 days which i didn't practice at least 30 min for the last couple of months. Whats helping me the most is a 10min technical homework i must do everyday, and the technical challenge must be as easy as you know you can accomplish, like going up 10bpm on your C major scale. The point is creating the habit of practicing.

[@mc3newsmcocconcierge504]

I don't mind getting lost in scales. I do have a tendency to repeat them far too many times if something isn't feeling smooth. Just something about running through them all fast and buttery when you're starting a new piece that sounds pretty rough the first few days.

[@leslieventresca8832]

The idea of working backwards is brilliant...exactly for the reason you mention...I love your tutorials! Leslie

[@linguaphilly]

Just a few minutes ago I was lying face down on the keyboard in utter frustration, so thanks for replenishing my hope! :)

[@candace6893]

never lose hope! :) i’m even if you mess up try trying again, taking it slower, go directly to your problem area rather than starting over what are you messing up on?, or take a break and comeback.

[@aminaasafina]

same

[@johko]

When you said, "How many times have each of us..." (6:05) I already knew what you were going to say. Thanks for the awesome lesson!

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you for your kind comments. Good luck in your practicing!

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you so much Anna - I truly appreciate your kindness and support. I wish you the best in all of your pianistic endeavors :)

[@cyba9774]

Advice from Franz Liszt how to tackle a new piece: "Liszt's lessons usually lasted two hours; frequently, to illustrate his explanations more clearly, he read some passage from a favorite author, pointing out the connection between music and literature. He outlined a method of tackling a new piece, recommending a student to read it through slowly about five times: the first and second times for accuracy of notes and rhythmic values; the third time paying attention to the dynamics, indicated or implied, as well as details of articulation, accentuation, and the like (he wanted the bass and treble studied separately, seeking how to nuance each); the fourth time looking for points of imitation or hidden themes in the inner parts; the fifth time deciding on the correct speed, and planning accelerandos and ritardandos where suitable. He did not require every piece to be finished to perfection as long as the mood was understood, and he encouraged his students to read a lot of music and broaden their experience." It's from an excerpt from Hilda Gervers' book "Liszt as a pedagogue". It can be found on Lisztomania with 8 pages - the quote I mentioned is on page 3. Thought I'd post that here and there because I remembered that at some time, wrote it down, knew that'd come from Liszt and improved drastically in my practice and sightreading, but I didn't find the passage again until now. It pretty much lines up with the things you also mentioned, what other teachers say and with studies on this topic. Thanks for the great videos, Josh - they really help a lot.

[@iamnaudar]

6:09 this guy is a genius, it's totaly dat

[@joshwrightpiano]

@DMichigan hi dave - just to clarify. When I say perfect, I mean note perfect. That is a hard concept for anyone to comprehend with difficult pieces. So, in order to achieve this, we often have to take tempos that are EXTREMELY slow to ensure this. Also, organizing things differently in your mind helps (such as dividing a hard passage up in different pieces so as to "un-complicate" something). Expression and fingering should be incorporated from the very beginning. hope that helps -josh

[@kawaiipotato77]

Thank you! It helped me a bunch! I learned my song, Birdland, under a couple hours! I have a jazz competition tomorrow and I'm scared since he just gave it to me a day ago! You're my life saver! Have a nice day.

[@Matthew-ll3fp]

Kawaii Potato I know it’s been a REALLY long time but how did it go?

[@ongabobonga6543]

Now listen i know it's been a long time but how did it go ?

[@katenka_ana3997]

Y'all XD

[@leonoliber6201]

Since I heard your "back to front" method I practice it. Very smart method because indeed, my performance of a piece gets weaker since the end is "coming". At the beginning one is very careful, but the longer the practicing lasts, the less accuracy counts and you only want to finish. Going from the end to the beginning is very good for discipline. THANKS A LOT!!!

[@GyanAddict]

This lesson works on almost all instruments. Thank you Mr. Wright.

[@johnnytable9217]

Its like you are in some abandoned house that dark room there is scary

[@KeepingOnTheWatch]

Johnny Table LOL

[@polykaylyrics6317]

Lmaoooo🤣😂😂😂😂

[@ongabobonga6543]

his teacher lock him down there until he master the piece .

[@folasko5120]

The Conjuring kinda feels.

[@crarytrombone9672]

Probably Lang Lang’s basement

[@AlfaAxel]

Your advices are so sound an straight on - your videos and your teaching will take your pupils and friends up a higher level! Long live music with the expressive force!

[@leonoliber6201]

A few weeks ago, I found a new piano teacher. I am very happy with her. She tells me the same things as you do on your channel. Therefore I am able to understand her advices very quickly. Your channel is really a great help. I am German and have to listen to your vids often twice to understand. Fortunately your lessons settle much better than listening them only once a time. ;-)

[@MrStrav81]

I'm doing the back to front approach with a piece I'm working on right now. It's not a bad idea. And it's definitely good to break it up into small pieces. Otherwise, you could just start playing through the piece, and not really focus on anything. Some pieces are just impossible to not do this with. I like that you do these videos. The advice is useful both to beginning students and the most advanced ones. Keep it up.

[@jcarneiro91]

Thank you for your time and the work you are doing with this videos. For sure helps a lot of people like me that are currently learning to play the piano.

[@DMichigan]

And I found this morning that I retained those 12 measures very nicely.... still slow but right tempo! I am quite happy about it. :-) Thanks again!

[@planetyam6044]

Hi Josh Wright! So, i have to say, i totally agree with you by learning the end ! Perhaps its a simple thing , but it helps a lot to maintain the motivation throught hard parts of the music! Thank you for your precious tips ! Keep your good job and your kindness posting this helpfull videos! Peace!

[@MikeyOnKeys]

Your voicing in that Chopin prelude is so beautiful.

[@itsjustnopinionok]

As a child in the early 80's my first teacher asked me to remember and play a simple beethoven piece. I could not play the last half of it from memory. She said. Now learn to remember it. Back to front. So that when you play a piece from memory. The ending is their. And josh reminded me of my first teacher today. 35 years later.

[@annarubato]

You´re a charming teacher, Josh. It´s very encouraging to watch your piano lessons. Thanks for the effort of having recorded and posted so many episodes. It is wonderful to be able to benefit from modern technology in this way.

[@duckleader2558]

cool nice yes no

[@mtung05]

thank you for the video, you are absolutely right about start learning from the end of a piece. I have a bad habit of neglecting the coda for many pieces so it's easy to forget the ending after stopping to practice the piano for a while. I will fix this by starting a new piece with the ending.

[@iampetergriffin]

Josh, thank you so much for these videos. The quality is probably the most potent in regards to piano technique videos that I've found on here.

[@yeetyvanjeurgens5849]

So glad I found this video, it's really helpful. I'm learning Arabesque No. 1 by Debussy for recital in a month and a half that I have been stressing over since January. My main worry is messing up because I get really stressed in any musical performance and I always screw up a part. Hopefully this method can help me overcome that as well since I may be more prepared for it.

[@sizzlinglizzi]

Really glad I found this site ,look forward to your other videos . Thanks for the posting.

[@paperbackpocket1759]

I’m only just beginning to learn how to play. I will definitely utilize this advice. Thanks so much! (:

[@JasonBarrettePiano]

Love this technique! I also use the gradual increase of the metronome during my practices. It is help me learn even complex pieces in a shorter amount of time!

[@KC-hs5kp]

This is so helpful! Just starting to learn but would like to be more efficient in how I approach learning new pieces, excited to try this. And the working backwards advice makes so much sense to me, looking forward to seeing how this helps improve my playing.

[@stefomate]

Just discovered your channel and I'm amazing by the quality of the information in each of your videos. I love the harder pieces and I'm trying to get so much better and your videos will help. Especially the rach 2 video.

[@stefomate]

Amazed*

[@joshwrightpiano]

No problem. I'm glad it helped.

[@maxrey4055]

Very good recommendation. Had a few teachers throughout life and the only teacher that did this for me was the one I had the most success. My other teachers would frown on this saying it was a crutch, but who cares its the final result that counts.

[@Jellostyle]

thanks for the lesson. i would be happy to learn more from you

[@firasabdul4734]

Great tips ! They are just the tips I thought of for teaching my 6 yr old Symphony No. 40 of Mozart's. Thanks

[@SluffAdlin]

Thanks Josh, excellent video. My mind does wander during the easy bits, which can make the difficult bits very frustrating because I'm not focused. Concentrating solely on the measures that I am having problems with has made practicing more interesting and has improved my playing, again thank you. Keep up the great videos.

[@bendixtrinity8337]

Oh my god. As someone who learns by myself, all those traps you have said are true

[@coconutmilch2351]

This is really helpful-thank you

[@carphi_piano]

Got a lot to learn from you, thanks Mr. Wright!

[@AnishChari]

My tips: 1. Hands separately perfectly, then do hands together. 2. Tempo isn't needed early on but rhythm is! A quarter note is a quarter note at 50 or 150 tempo. 3. Consistent fingering. Write in every number if you have to. It's the only way you'll get the piece up to speed. Look up KZbin videos if you aren't sure of the fingering. 3. Don't play the song from beginning to end over and over. Play sections you're struggling with repeatedly. No sense playing the part you're already good at. 4. Practice regularly. A little big each day is better than a lot once a week. Builds muscle memory and prevents repetitive strain injuries. 5. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!

[@huss2600]

So you have fun when you practice?

[@CrimsonRayne]

@@huss2600 if its a song you love yeah, one or two steps closer to finishing the song

[@chenwu9867]

Thanks for explaining in this way-I understand that not every artist feel comfortable to explain in this way…

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thanks for the nice comments Leono!

[@costep]

Really fantastic lessons. each one may save a lot of time when practicing.

[@nrna9997]

This is extremely helpful, thank you!!

[@joshwrightpiano]

Thank you so much :)

[@simonoconor8149]

Thanks for the advice Josh, I'll give your method a try.

[@reddeauville]

Thank you for the tip of working backwards, I will try it.

[@apenn3268]

You have helped me so much Josh I'm not sure if it was in this video or was it in another video of yours but u said to see some notes as chords and that works thx👌👌👍👍👍

[@agamaz5650]

you look like Chopin here haha

[@NothingMaster]

Piecemeal the piece, then play it piece by piece. Peace!

[@Matthew-ll3fp]

NothingMaster lol

[@codingkaboom2025]

I wish I could lean a movement in a week in full tempo! My level is 1 page per month. LOL Anyway, thank you for helping me out!

[@Whitetysnowny]

Woah!! Thank you so much for the video!❤️🙏 it really help me when practicing. Btw, this haircut really fit you. 👌😆

[@ejvaudt67]

Haven't played in years and just recently thought about learning Clair de Lune and play it in church for my wife's birthday, just 10 weeks away. Been working at it for a month, never liked anything with more than 2 flats and Clair de Lune has 5. I just might try working backwards because I'm at a tough point in the piece.

[@Wnharrison921]

+Eric Vaudt Well, When it comes down to it, 5 flats is a blessing. That's D flat major in the case of Clair de Lune. In general, the piece is doable in that timeframe if you have a good amount of previous experience in piano. Work through it slowly, and FIND YOUR LEARNING STYLE. Auditory, visual (music based), repetition, or whatever else works for you. Go with that and just work through it slowly. the arpeggio section can be a bit tricky if you are unfamiliar to piano or even to the piece. I find that listening to the piece to know how it sounds, helps me the most. I learn with the help of my ear, and a lot of practice with the music. Otherwise, try working the arpeggios alone, and know how they go. Repetition is another key to learning a piece. Hope that helps.

[@Wnharrison921]

+Eric Vaudt I'm actually stuck a bit right now myself learning a Debussy piece... Etude 1 from Douze Etudes...

[@ejvaudt67]

+Will Harrison I gave it my best, but fell short. I thought that once I started my nerves would calm down but by the time I started the arpeggios I started making mistakes and my hands would not stop shaking, so I stopped the piece and then played it for my wife at home after church. Hope you're making progress on Etude 1.

[@Deerse]

What I never hear is the fact that one can use all cognitive/ motoric functions integral/at the same time: when all the memories work together a piece will internalize best. Furthermore one has to see: what is new and know what is the essence of a problem. In fact one has to take time and be very analytical and be able to study micro things. Another point is that insight in how automatic actions grow leads to conscious application of internalizing an action structure. I would like to add this to what you've said. The learning psychology has given me insight in the most fundamental way.

[@franzyoussef5487]

Thank you so much Josh, Keep it up.

[@DMichigan]

Josh, thanks! This is very helpful. Yes, I cringe when you said "perfect." By that do you mean fingering? It's hard to get completely perfect because I don't have the feel for the whole piece yet when I am playing a section the first time. Also, after you get it in in one week, what do you do next? When you start putting in the expression and feeling, do you practice the expression section by section also? Thanks again!

[@emanuelrus6546]

Thank you Josh, great advices!

[@carolehague]

Thank you Josh, helped me a great deal!

[@balgrantango460]

Thank you so much…this video was so helpful!

[@yasminrei]

You are amazing!!! Thank you so much

[@HomayunM]

Great video Josh. Thanks

[@tamikatran6728]

Ok I'm going to do this for everything now sir.

[@afemabenedictdeogratius139]

Thank you Mr. josh. This is helpful

[@karendeng6061]

You have nice touch on the piano😊

[@cschlums2235]

0:16 Josh be GOTTEM

[@christianjimenez2551]

What about increasing your first sight lecture? Do you have any video about this? That's like first in order to learn faster any piece

[@ArtVandelay99]

Great video, thanks Josh!

[@DMichigan]

But yesterday I tried the EXTREMELY slow tempo (like 1/16th notes in an allegro piece) was countable as single beats; but I got the right tempo in. I did like 2 measure each time, and after I got it I played for 7 -10 times, then I tackle the next 2 measures. I got to 12 measures in a session and came back a few times in the day to practice those 12 measures in the same slow speed.

[@jvmguy]

Great learning method.

[@OXENful]

Very useful and instructive video

[@pbkimblee1858]

I'm having my Piano examination next week(grade7). I'm still struggling with the 3rd piece. Sight reading's what I fear

[@robertmorrison1657]

I feel you man.

[@jhonandafoolalien]

Please make one especially for barroque music. I can get Mazurkas easily because of the rythmic connection between the bass, harmony and melody but barroque (especially Bach) is quite straight. Maybe it's just me but it would help a lot. Greetings from México.

[@pianoatthirty]

Fantastic advice!! Thanks!

[@wilburash8315]

Yeah that makes sense. that's how I learned, although I still have a long way to go.

[@raneksi]

Assuming I start from the end, what's the best way to make sure the fingering I start the section with is consistent with the earlier section? Do I have to figure out the fingering for the whole piece before I start learning it from the end? Thanks.

[@BladesAcademy]

Only the first few notes got me awestruck.

[@benjaminnordheim8561]

Just add a drum beat to this bad boy and you've got yourself a lo-fi hip hop track.

[@kbarb1000]

great tips thankyou

[@ConqueringGiants365]

Love this video!

[@kringle02]

You are a big help ,the problem I'm haveing is I've been using KZbin to learn songs were it shows a piano and the notes drop down , My big problem is I can learn the song and mute the song and play and play it right .but if I don't have the song playing to watch how to play it at all I can't remember even were it starts or any thing but as soon as I pull the song up and it start playing I can play the notes write along with it . Another thing is because I'm watching the music being played I never look down at the piano so I don't no what keys to play looking down at the key board I have a Yamaha Dgx 660 with weighted keys and its a 88 key key board .and I only use the grand piano mode and the sustain pedal when needed .if any of that makes any sense can you give me any advice .thanks in advance .

[@joshwrightpiano]

If you'd ever like to do some Skype lessons, just let me know. I'd love to hear you play

[@hs7921]

Magic. Working backwards. What a great idea. No more train wrecks.

[@phuongnguyentran3245]

Start from the end? You mean starting from the end of the section or the end of the piece?

[@util2]

Hey boy! Apply some Noise Reduction to your video ! Like Dolby C 😅

[@thegreatballplayer1]

I’m trying to learn Rachmaninov elegie and I’m struggling big time. It’s my first Rachmaninov piece and I did not know what I was getting into when I printed off the sheet music. Way harder than Mendelssohn op 67 no 2 that I just learned

[@tess3946]

Beethoven's Emporer in EbM is what I'm currently working on. Just started.

[@whodislmao7346]

Split piece into smaller sections Isolate voices/hands and play the sections slowly then play hands together Work from back to front (generally pieces are played well in the first few sections but subsequent sections are worse, working back to front will fix this)

[@itzgoats6612]

I just want to learn how to read notes super fast for piano pieces such as 3rd movement

[@zzzzzzzzzz202]

thank you much

[@VeigarEUW]

The problem is, even when I practice exactly like that, I will still mess up the piece later😐It's like my brain doesn't want me to play it correctly and forces my hands to do a mistake on a section I played perfectly well before

[@michellemartinradio]

Does anyone know what this piece is called? I'd love to learn it. TQ

[@CampingAFK]

Michelle M he said it thou

[@immatur1le340]

when you say backwards, do you mean backwards backwards or do you play the lines backwards so like play line 2 and then line 1.

[@celestine7126]

Just the lines

[@yixu4924]

thanks

[@mo_ar]

Thank you for your videos! What would you say about learning technically hard pieces (The case when it's practically impossible to get some parts "perfect" in one day)? Sometimes I spend a lot of time on those hard parts, trying to get it to full speed and perfect sound, and eventually I might end up having these "hard" parts near the normal speed, but the rest of the piece is falling apart... =/

[@sumivora8524]

I'm not josh wright (obviously) but I would start super slow at first. Then I would speed it up very gradually. If it is a technical thing like a trill or something you can't get, go online and learn how to do it. Also, pay attention to fingering! Hope this helps

[@goblinlp4141]

needA Learn a piece i got on monday toll tomorrow (j. rutter christmas lullaby)

[@goblinlp4141]

till*

[@ashishthomas5562]

i have difficulties playing softly. what can I do for that?

[@JaakSikk]

Dear Ashish Thomas, For playing softly there is a very certain tip. I will explain you in more detail to make the point very clear. The tip has been used by many master, especially Horowitz for example and Rubinstein (mostly in his old age). If you follow this you get a good control of your tone and it also helps you to be technically more exact general. I will write it out as points. 1) The volume of the sound you produce from the piano is regulate by the speed of your finger motion. If your finger moves faster and makes the key move down faster, it will create a louder sound and vice versa. You can just experiment with it. 2) The tone is mostly influenced by acceleration of your finger. If you hit the key from high up the key, you get a percussive sound, because first the finger bumps against the key surface and makes the hammer it the string hard. It will be a fast and aggressive acceleration type. 3) If you touch the key surface with your fingertip before depressing the key, there is no bump and you get a soft sensitive tone. Being on the key before playing it also guarantees that you play the right key. Now, look how Horowitz is doing exactly this! So summary - touch key surface before playing a key, it will create a sensitive and beautiful sound and regulate the volume by the speed of your finger motion. Best wishes and take care! Jaak

[@anadoesmusicthings5486]

Jaak Sikk ME MY PARENTS HATE ME BECAUSE I PLAY SO LOUD

[@zazenbo]

me and the homies use this to learn Tekken combos

[@agamaz5650]

what if im learning an etude? Prelude 7 is really easy