How to Practice Without Getting Bored or Frustrated

I call it "creative repackaging" -- it's the #1 practice strategy that has helped me improve the most as a musician. Practicing can be efficient, engaging, and not boring, strenuous, or monotonous. This helps you repeat passages in an original way by creating a loop around it.
Previous video that covers this topic: • Choose THIS over robot...
*typo at 2:27, I meant Cb not Bb ☺️
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#practice #strategy #piano

[@none5020]

Okay, but to be completely honest you look like you're having more fun practicing on the left of the thumbnail XD.

[@NahreSol]

Haha yes I thought so too while editing 🤣

[@arunthebuffoon4554]

It's a "stressed- but-almost-stank-face"

[@AsrielKujo]

Hey none!

[@none5020]

@@AsrielKujo Sup dude.

[@leif1075]

@@NahreSol Hey Nahre I really hope you can tell me how you came up with the opening riff of your tango piece. I am DYING to know. Hope you can respond when you can.

[@Un1234l]

This is what Chopin taught as well, according to his students. He very strongly was against non-musical practice.

[@metroidandroid]

that's crazy right, who'd thought of avoiding non-musical practice when you're practicing music

[@Nobddy]

@@metroidandroid yeah but it seems like sometimes you have to play things that don’t sound musical to boost your technical abilities

[@saintbees2088]

Who were chopin's students?

[@Un1234l]

@@saintbees2088 I dunno off the top of my head, I'm not a historian. It's something I read and regurgitated. Look up how Chopin was as a teacher.

[@deej20007]

@@metroidandroid hanon comes to mind I suppose. (I love Hanon)

[@SkeledroMan]

This reminds me a lot of the concept of 'tactical periodisation' training in soccer. Things like using the football in training even when training something completely different. Essentially training everything in a context closer to that in which it will be used. Doesn't just make training less boring, but also more effective.

[@NahreSol]

This is so interesting!!! Thank you for this!!!

[@vitaliistep]

Could you elaborate what activities you mean exactly? Like going to a gym, but still playing football? :)

[@Victoria-pw6ws]

😅

[@lumenauleau5311]

What have I become? I can't just hear "repetition" without my mind adding "legitimizes" now... Still that was a great video !

[@NahreSol]

😅😅😅

[@featherycoffee1401]

Repition legitimises

[@xye6783]

REPETITION LEGITIMIZES *dead stare*

[@arunthebuffoon4554]

Repetition legitimizes

[@alicewyan]

Repetition...

[@nkubi159]

"You need to over-compensate in order to master something" - that's revealing, thank you for pointing this out inside an instruction on how to achieve it 🍎

[@cloudambient]

LOL this is hilarious. One time in college my piano professor came into my practice room and caught me practicing Bach while watching the office on netflix and I was so ashamed LOL. But in all fairness, it's the perfect show to watch while practicing because there's no background music!!

[@peaceofkake1085]

Since there's no background music, did you ever find yourself "writing a score" for what you were watching?

[@tabbywarrior]

@@peaceofkake1085 yup

[@kamikan22]

now I understand the frog pianist memer and why he is becoming viral

[@superblondeDotOrg]

perfect story for why musicians deserve to be made obsolete via software playback algorithms like Note Performer

[@DonyaLane]

No music, unless Dwight is accompanying Michael on one of his offensive songs, or Andy and Dwight are in a banjo vs. guitar showdown!

[@leecherlarry]

watching nahre practice on the piano , makes me feel like salieri at the keyboard . in the mozart movie .

[@NahreSol]

😁

[@mayiask654]

I'd be more than happy if it would make me feel like anything close to Salieri. Unfortunately it just makes me feel like.....uhhmm.. well.... ...me myself 😉

[@leecherlarry]

@@mayiask654 😹

[@jose_macias1703]

Me watching a video on how to practice correctly...while practicing .-.

[@NahreSol]

The best strategy 😅

[@AnwynElysa]

My university's music program is amazing, especially for piano. I auditioned as a mostly self taught musician and was accepted. Then I got there and suddenly my teacher was a superb pianist with an international career, the practice rooms reserved for pianists all had baby Steinways, and I got overwhelmed. Practicing became so difficult because I kept hearing the other students playing and comparing myself, and also my teacher told me to keep track of how long I practiced each piece (+ technique like scales) and I really didn't like that because it made me feel defeated if I felt like I'd been playing something for an hour and it turned out to be 30 minutes. She sat me down midway through the semester and told me that I should be practicing for at least 3 hours a day, but that it had to be GOOD practice, not just running my pieces over and over. Anyway, I just did my final jury for my first semester and got all As, which is a testament to my teacher, really. I'm inspired by my good jury results to do better, GOOD practicing next semester and these are just the tips I needed! I easily get bored and frustrated, especially if it's something to do with technique. I'm definitely going to use these tips next semester!!!

[@killempiano6745]

I haven't commented before but honestly, thank you for existing. As a self-taught wannabe pianist (and long term subscriber) , your videos have always been a source of knowledge, motivation and inspiration. Hopefully, this channel will grow more, and you'll keep bringing us amazing content like this.

[@davidneale-lorello2954]

🍎 I didn’t figure this out when I was an instrumentalist and I *did* quit. ☹️ That was a long time ago, but this and many of your other videos have inspired me to consider going back and picking up my viola again. Thanks for your generous and brilliant insights! 💕

[@tsuukkii]

viola gang

[@Bati_]

This is marvelous! The bonus part of this method is that you can become a composer along the way without even being aware! 🍎

[@NahreSol]

Thanks Bati!!!! 😁🙏🏻

[@lovetheclassics100]

I noticed that too! 👍😊 👏Nahre👏

[@pshhh7856]

Nahre is so damn good. Not only does she within minutes get me at my piano bench , she also reminds of how much better I could be. In a good way though lol

[@Saxologic]

Excellent advice - thank you!!!

[@kamikan22]

bru I am still trying to find the vowels of every note to imitate timbre of my instrument the problem: *i play strings* 😭

[@AntonioMartinez-uk3xp]

your videos are so well produced that they could be classified as works of art. 🍎🍎🍎

[@NahreSol]

Thank you so much!!!! 🙏🏻🍎

[@alanhirayama4592]

Active learning! All of your techniques and suggestions are very relevant to adult learning. If you engage the learner in new and interesting ways, it will help to make the learning more efficient and meaningful, thereby also improving retention! Thank you for sharing!

[@NahreSol]

Thank you for the comment!!

[@clairepianist]

It's also super helpful when you aim for PERFECTION at every iteration (during repetitions). When you try to play each without making any errors with rhythm, fingering, note, articulation, dynamic, etc., your brain will be fully engaged. Which is the point of Nahre's suggestion in this video: Make your brain engaged.

[@eli-shulga]

This is such an important tip/method/inside/enlightenment for "boring" practices.. For any skill and I don't know anything bout music other the loving it and listening to it

[@NahreSol]

Yes!! Thank you for the comment ☺️

[@eli-shulga]

@@NahreSol sure :) been following for a long time now but for some reason YT recommended me your stuff only now.. Anyways, these learning methods are gold for outside of music learning too, so keep it up :)

[@alaskandesign]

This reminds me of what my violin teacher calls "etudizing" passages. She encourages me to create my own etudes around parts I need to work on. I can adjust them to add complexity or fit specific aspects I need to work on and make it sound musical. But I am creating my own personal practice method around it.

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

Yes! This is just how I practice improvisation; start with a note, phrase, or chord, and start messing around with patterns.

[@eiwhaz-tina6528]

I wonder why you wonderfully exist in this platform, but there is no single violinist who has a channel like yours. Like wtf. We need it.

[@MariaRoters]

Normally I don't write comments, but this time I want to get rid of something: Since I discovered you on KZbin, my attitude of being a musician has changed. You are a great inspiration and I enjoy your music very much. I finally got my unfinished compositions out of the shelf , which have been lying there for years, and I improvise and compose as much as I can. I have been working differently on the piano and all different kind of works since I saw your videos. And I start getting more in touch with my creativity, which makes me very happy. Thank you very much for everything. Keep up the good work! I am very much looking forward to what is yet to come :)

[@anaghshetty]

This is useful not only for piano but everything in general. Nowadays the idea of active learning is gaining steam. Btw, kudos for performing a snippet of the thirds etude which is really hard. PS. 🍎

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!!! 🍎🙏🏻

[@samuelitooooo]

"Active learning"? I might want to look into that further.

[@anaghshetty]

@@samuelitooooo popular study channels are speaking about this

[@bh5606]

Love the way she talks with her hands.

[@Flobbled]

As a bassist and guitarist I find interesting to do is tapping an underlying rhythm to what I'm playing. Once I know how to play it to the original I can mix it up a little, maybe move the beat forward or back e.g. a quarter or eighth note. Apart from that humming or whistling a melody over the practice piece works too.

[@ghintz2156]

Great advice. I am reluctant to dedicate myself to perfect repetitive portions or get my runs where they need to be... This could help.

[@NahreSol]

I hope it helps, thank you!!!

[@BarnieSnyman]

This was as much a composing lesson as it was a practice lesson. Thankyou! 🍎

[@NahreSol]

Thank you back!!! 😁🙏🏻

[@L.M1792]

It is always good to turn on the internet and see healthy piano players setting aside a little time to encourage. Society, I think, appreciates this. I seem to be following woman…. piano players on KZbin (not intentionally) and this woman is one of my favourites. She does her job wonderfully. 🥸

[@ARiteOfPassage09]

As non-pianist, I enjoy your videos and I sit on the piano we have here in my house to try at least to play with right hand whenever I watch you. You inspired me.

[@solidwaterslayer]

I didn't know other people did this lol. I thought I was alone. Making up melody or harmony to go with my other hand that is doing measures from songs that are too hard for mee to play that fast lol OwO. I did try watching tv but then I started making mistakes.

[@NahreSol]

Amazing!!! 😁

[@blocktockblock6329]

thank you for these ideas! As a kid practicing always felt like a boring chore, just repeating things because i *had to*. For a while I stepped away from music but a while back I came across a music therapist that helps her clients avoid pain in their hands by helping them relax by rediscovering the joy of playing. When playing is about pleasure (enjoying the sound and even just the feeling of playing) then often their pain faded away. Since then I've been trying to always focus on the pleasure and joy of just making music, and your recommendations are helping so much. thank you!

[@jazerleepiano]

Brilliant idea Nahre, will def be trying this out!

[@andrewrobertson444]

I don't even play an instrument Nahre but I'm subscribed and I watch videos like this because what you say is always so well explained and worth listening to.

[@DimitriSafarikas]

Watching this video, i felt grateful to discover that I've always instinctively been applying this method to my music practice sessions. Now that I can call it 'creative repackaging" i can stop feeling like i'm procrastinating and fooling around by not being more strict and sticking the exact exercise at hand.

[@simonecanaparo9168]

I'm a classical double bass player and I find your advice is always so focused for everyone who plays any instrument! Thank you.

[@mienaikoe]

This is exactly how I honed my improvisation back when I joined jazz band not having a clue what it was.

[@benjamincoleman1494]

In the past year while practicing Bach I've been having improvised tangents, there are so many interesting harmonies / passages to expand and play with. You have solidified the concept in this video, thank you!

[@potassium_nitrateV]

What are tangents? I had a google cuz I’m also into Bach, but I couldn’t find anything about it. 😊

[@orsolyafrank573]

I cannot express how refreshing and encouraging I find all that you say. I am an amateur, only learnt at music school for 5 years, yet I feel I am really musical. But all that I ever received from music teachers was drill, rigour, criticism and discipline. I struggle to allow myself to play and your videos help a great deal in the struggle.

[@mellowfred8935]

I’m not practicing piano, but you’re a great teacher and this will help me a great deal. Thank you.

[@gibusgamer93]

I love this concept so much. I'm a guitar player, but before I started with guitar as a kid, I tried both piano and violin, and couldn't stay focused on either one. I never understood why until recently, when I realized that while my piano and violin teachers packaged their lessons in that dry, dull, monotonous fashion, my guitar teacher always packaged his as little songs, and that kept me way more focused and engaged. I've been using this trick to teach myself piano as an adult, and it's such a huge difference maker. Fantastic video!

[@trinishchatterjee1653]

I've been trying to do creative practice since watching some of your precious videos, and it honestly has been THE one thing that has helped me get back to playing piano and practicing again!!

[@thekalechipsvendetta]

I just really appreciate your message. I hope I can share this with my students as I work on this myself.

[@mrbulbous8822]

This is really good advice. As a drummer I do this type of thing all the time. Taking basic rudiments like paradiddles and incorporating them into drum fills or even making entire grooves based around them has made practicing much more fun than just repeating the same rhythms on a practice pad.

[@NahreSol]

Awesome!!! Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Fitzliputzli23]

This is exactly how I usually practice. But I always felt that it is actually a bad habbit. I often end up altering the passages and add a little here and there. I thought to be taken away by my play instinct and creativity means I lack discipline. Now, I feel a little more positive about it, thank you!

[@guyb7005]

3:44 explains the objective where repetition is the no-brainer 'drone' to the vector on your trajectory. I can see this work with Guitar and not just travis picking. Nahre, your video presentation skills, your graphic skills, your sense of humour with charming snippets, your way of simply speaking to the camera and relating the topics -- let's just say there are 20 more thumbs up KZbin isn't allowing me to register.

[@NahreSol]

Thank you so much!!! That means a lot to me 🙏🏻😁

[@arunthebuffoon4554]

Yeah, this advice would be useful to anyone, in any field. That's why I love watching tutorials about other instruments, there are so many people who can help you actively learn --and Nahre is one of the best when it comes to imparting advice. Nahre speaks from a place of wisdom and experience, which is why her videos are so extremely useful, and valuable to me (as someone who is only a piano noob).

[@Nigazaki]

Really interesting, it's funny cause I was just talking with a friend (We're both Jazzy Hip Hop producers) and we were mentionin all the the producers that inspired us to do what we do, we realised that some of them used to entirely reproduce instrumentals from other artist that inspired them, wich involve another way of repeating things to improve as an artist, personally when I wanna reproduce a beat (kinda like an hommage to dope artist) I end up doin things a lil bit defferently than the original track, it stimulates the creativity and the love of doin what you do instead of doin the exact same thing, thx for sharing, peace out from France!

[@matterstorm6733]

Wow, this is just what I needed! It combines learning sheet music with improvisation and gets you better at both, thank you!!

[@robertoa.m.3984]

I admire so much that you are so creative!....always able to reinvent yourself as a musician. You send us all off on/to the Right path. Thank you so much.

[@acpmedeiros]

I've been watching your classes on youtube and even though I play classical guitar, your daily study tips have helped me dedicate myself more seriously to the guitar.

[@nshiba]

Such a powerful idea. Thanks !!!!!!

[@jazzgal5631]

You are such a good teacher, Nahre. Thank you!.

[@MrStevem121]

Thanks. Looking forward to try it

[@eatfruitsalad345]

I loved this video -- it's so cool hearing the looped versions for practice you come up with and I'm excited to try it for myself!

[@simonbergvall7151]

Lovely tips! Thanks so much!

[@jamailone3080]

The most effective practicing method that I've known in my whole life... Thank you so much Nahre for this

[@zhpub]

Wonderful advice. Thank you.

[@sarahshumate334]

Amazing tips! Thank you! 🍎

[@alexandergadjiev3733]

Thanks for your amazing job Nahre!

[@rafaelgomez1989]

FANTASTIC SUGGESTIONS !!!!

[@emmetharrigan5234]

Edited to add: 🍎 This is what I kind of do! I choose goal pieces that I really want to learn, and then I find the techniques in the piece that I can’t yet do. I then find intermediary pieces that have a pared-down version of that technique to use as a stepping stone! Like i needed to get better at left hand arpeggios for Barque Sur L’Ocean, so I learned the second movement of Beethoven’s Tempest sonata, which is full of left hand arpeggios and rhythmic isolation

[@NahreSol]

Smart!!! And thank you!!! 🙏🏻🍎

[@RayHuong]

These are fantastic suggestionsa, many thanks.

[@mudsinkmayor]

Great suggestions, Thanks!!!

[@natashaa2269]

I love these strategies! Thank you 🙏

[@jamesparsons3134]

I really LOVE your videos here ! ! !

[@oletrenner]

That is such a great tip. Thanks especially for explaining how it can be applied to single voice instruments. Great advice!

[@pbgv399]

Thank you, great video with valuable info!!!!

[@lukewarm5356]

Absolutely. I've always done this and come up with some fairly good ideas for compositions in the process. Sound advice as ever Nahre

[@slcrooks]

Thank you for inspiring us, I really love to hear such practical advice, and entertaining, and it’s wonderful to hear you play and explain

[@bachtube11]

Very good motivating! Good ideas!

[@Revilokab]

Yes to all of this! It is so good to hear you reiterate some of my thoughts and practice strategies (since I am fairly newly obsessed with the piano). You also brought up several other great mindsets to have while practicing. I believe this can apply to all skill levels as well.

[@gonzales2174]

The smooth and natural touch is beautiful, and I can play it as I imagined, which is very enviable. You look amazing.

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!!!

[@JohanSonderkamp]

Great tips! I will dive into this, keep your video open while working on certain passages as a reminder. Now been going for that dry practice, which kinda helps, but this makes it a whole lot more interesting and exciting!

[@AdrianEarnshawMusic]

Some great practice tips, thanks for sharing 🍎

[@ThePianoenergy]

Great idea and presentation!

[@bry5an]

I think this is the single best advice for practicing piano I’ve heard

[@neonchamber]

Love your videos Nahre 🍎

[@ryankerwinmusic]

These videos are such an incredible resource.

[@jazzfan7491]

This is so great!

[@lajeanette33]

I take the same approach for my drumming students. I’m glad you’re passing it around 😊👍

[@alaadhiya]

Thank you so much for this nahre i needed it 😭❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@NataliaSetera]

As usual, so so helpful! Each time I'm stuck I got a magic notification on KZbin with your great advices, and after that I'm ready to rock thank you 🙏 🍎😉

[@leslieackerman4189]

You do such a good job entertaining us. Smart, approachable, fun and musical

[@songhetang2961]

🍎 Nahre Sol, thank you so much. You have such great talent as a musician and thinker. It is so kind of you to share your piano playing, insights, approaches and compositions. All your videos are perfection. Very best wishes to you!

[@hanskung3278]

From the get go I have a mental block about the idea that "practicing doesn't have to be boring, also. I fear I'll spend to much time focused on "making it interesting" that I won't be focused on the thing I want to master.....oh yea....great video, keep it up, you are inspiring.

[@clarabrown1661]

I’ve learned a lot of practice methods, but yours are all new to me. Can’t wait to try some of these out in the practice room!

[@howardjcox]

SO SO SO smart! BRILLIANT strategy. Thank you!

[@nogoogleplus]

Your video magically popped up 🍎 on a day where I’m reassessing my practice habits! Thanks for sharing your insights. Big fan of your videos, music, playing and creativity!

[@renaudnormand3246]

🍎And me, who is new to the piano, I find that this way of practicing opens up possibilities for me towards composition. Learning while having fun is definitely more effective.

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

Lovely playing that's so pretty which inspires me as a guitarist who use to play piano so I'll always be inspired by pianists and you do that w/ such useful notes about adding chords to create loops which can be adapted to guitar playing as well. Many thanks!

[@pianomaniac7687]

That´s creative learning! Many thanks!

[@UncleMike81]

I love the way your left hand moves.

[@danwebster5439]

Terrific animations! And good suggestions

[@apeckx5090]

This is the way I've always liked practicing too. I learned some interesting this to try in this one though, so thanks for the inspiration!

[@thebunn]

Very helpful!! Thank you!

[@AvoryFaucette]

Love these videos, thank you so much for the practical advice! I've played for years for fun, but never really studied or done drills, and I'm realizing I really want to improve my skills but the repetitiveness is daunting.

[@1jennifer]

This is such good teaching 😍 articulating what some people have kind of been doing (ie me) but also extending it so it’s more explicit and I feel I have more direction rather than vaguely doing it. Thank you!

[@tsoarakotoarisoa7246]

excellent concept !!!! thank's a lot ! it will help me for many things i need to work !!!!

[@lordgoatsnek3169]

I've always enjoyed your way of digesting music and knowing that you check out when you find things boring is quite reassuring. I love music and wish to take it further, but am often not rigorous enough on the technical practice/music theory. Making it fun in this way is something I can see will be very helpful 🍎

[@deutschliebe]

Nahre, this is so so good. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us.

[@kikoflauta]

I enjoy you videos so much. Always something to learn from them. As a flutist I do this while playing along a recording or track. Thats how I learned to improvise. Thanks again.🍎