The “No Stress Practice” Method - Inspire Creativity, Reduce Stress, and Increase Effectiveness

[@ansa211]

"Piano isn't just pleasurable to hear, it's pleasurable to play as well." How come that quote is not getting hundreds of upvotes?!

[@SwahaChris]

One thing that helps me whenever I find myself struggling or feeling down: I keep on reminding myself of Chopin's words "facilement, facilement!" .. It has a magical effect on my mind. It brings immediate relaxation. The hands and the body should always feel relaxed. The mind focused yet relaxed. And deep breathing is also helpful to minimize tension.

[@ilovebach1010]

The hair is amazing!!! as like everything else!

[@SwahaChris]

Thank you for reminding us to be gentle with ourselves, and that playing the piano is not about torture :) It is a joy and a pleasure to be found again and again... And to accept that it is ok to have a break when we feel it is needed. Life is to be enjoyed.

[@CodyHazelleMusic]

In my practice app, modacity, the first thing I do is this item called "Noodling, warmups, old tunes" where I do exactly what you lay out. I also usually tend to start out with something simple and pretty...Bach Prelude in C Major, Chopin Op 9 no 2, Beethoven Pathetique Movement 2...By the time I've played through one or two of these, I might switch gears to some Joplin and like you said--even slowly. My Entertainer is not perfect yet, but playing it slow is still fun. After about a half hour of this, I'm ready to drill the harder stuff and get to work on real focus and practice of my repertoire. But you're right! Playing piano DOES feel good, and sitting down first thing and just ENJOYING the piano is very important. Plus I always seem to find new and exciting ways to play old music.

[@TommysPianoCorner]

I think you’re absolutely right. Every now and then, I don’t even get past the ‘no stress’ part and treat myself to an afternoon of just playing whatever crosses my mind.

[@eduarshkherrera5497]

Hi Josh. Please don't take my comment wrong! You are a damn great pianist. But as a teacher you are one of a kind, way waaaay better. Thanks for your words. Cheers! I'm already at the piano 😊

[@number3094]

I would say he is incredibly good both as a pianist and a teacher. He simply shifted his priorities. I mean: listen to his recordings ^...^ If he wants to he prepares and plays

[@marciahorton2203]

It doesn't even look like you have to press on the keys, your hands just float above them on the opening to this video, wow so impressive! I am 68 years old just starting out on this journey of learning and wondering if ever to get an 100th of your capability. But when ever I start to learn something I really delve into it. I want to really learn all about it deeply. If my rambling makes any sense. Thank you for your videos they are very in depth and well thought out.

[@mariecloutier3548]

thanks for the reminder to have FUN with practice. when i feel like i'm getting burned out a little I just take some fun things and play them because i enjoy them, not because my teacher wants me to work on this or that, and after i have some fun with music I can go back to the work I'm doing with my teacher and things feel achievable and enjoyable again. great video!

[@vergauwenmartial]

I sometimes tell myself, never loose contact with the piano. Even if it's doing just anything, as far as I like it, it's ok. It's even worse when you go on holidays where you don't have access to a piano. When you come back it's not always easy to get back to the piano. Two weeks without any practice at all and your fingers are inevitably a bit clumsy. You can't play as good as you could before holydays. Thanks for sharing this.

[@DrQuizzler]

You're coming dangerously close to doing what I do here: I mess around with one or two songs I just enjoy playing, then I get an idea. Pretending is good too. I sometimes pretend I'm onstage at some huge austere sold-out venue, messing around playing some silly song as Barenboim's about to sit down to perform Waldstein at the same piano. It's great hearing the words "relax" and "fun" in connection with classical piano practice.

[@DianaYo95]

Thanks a lot for this wonderful insight! My practice sessions lately have been all about how to "sound perfect" and so I forgot the joy of playing the piano itself! This video got me all giggling because I've always stressed on the practice immediately after I sit in front of my piano :) Now I got reminded that I play piano to relax my mind, not the other way round!

[@rajatchowdhury4511]

Wow I really needed this… thank you

[@gervasiomontenegro569]

Thanks Josh. This is a video to see again and again. Stress is very usual in piano practice.

[@rotsteineva]

Wonderful advice! And so insighful! Thank you so much 🙏🏻❤ This reminded me of Yoga practice: it is all about being gentle with our body and our mind, and looking for their union. This brings so much clarity to the mind, and relaxation/flexibility to the body, which is the secret for a better life and also a much better and productive piano practice and piano playing... 🤗❤🎵🎵🎶

[@mdoane62]

Josh, you are always keeping it real! Thank you!

[@thomaslai5303]

very good advise, I get what you’re saying, thank you.

[@ryanm2129]

Hello Josh, great video as always!!! What's the piece you played at 4:45?

[@J.B.03]

Would like to know that too :)

[@AhbibHaald]

Did you ever find out?

[@AhbibHaald]

Found it! Bach chaconne from partita 2

[@LioMcAllisterMusic-sw4vj]

Hi Josh: Thank you for making this video. I am able to practice effectively by going steady and slow, so I don't stress myself out with my material. I hope to level up so I can play my original pieces someday!

[@vincent-ataramaniko]

Thank you for every video you've made. I've watched many multiple times to make your thoughts stay in my head, and you've really made me progress as a musician.

[@meishaslight5210]

Hey Josh! What’s that fun piece you start playing at 10:01? Wow that sounded like a blast to play!

[@briancoveney3080]

This was a great one, Josh. Thanks and thanks again.

[@alexandreguilhermemaestro]

It is amazing see your passion for the piano. Really inspiring! All the best!

[@cookie4u2]

Thank you! Could you tell me the names of each piece you are presenting?

[@juancaravaca84]

I just can say this is a wonderful video, thank you a lot Josh

[@downdog70]

Great stuff Josh! I can totally relate. Thanks for posting this.

[@michaelkennis6097]

Josh, one of your more enjoyable and fun video sharings I have seen. Thnks.

[@mitchnew3037]

Thanks so much. That helped me a lot . You are so awesome 👏

[@stevenbeer6005]

Inspiration! Yr so relaxed! Cheers!

[@m6x_mt]

Thank You Josh

[@carlosazambujayt]

Great video, sincere and super helpful!

[@texaswildcat6425]

😢😔Thank you for this. I'm definitely in that slump.,. Feeling like I'm just done; and knowing I'm really not.😒

[@joshwrightpiano]

Don’t give up! Creating music is too great to give up on

[@mitchnew3037]

Music is art through the ears. You can do it 😊

[@texaswildcat6425]

Thank you both so much for the encouragement. I walked away for a while, taking a break, but heard some of Chopin's music in a movie, and im beginning to feel like I'm ready to begin again. Thank you both very much for the encouragement. God bless💞💐

[@aiden._.hatch1]

Josh what was the piece you were playing at 4:45?? Amazing video by the way!

[@jonykeys]

It's Bach chaconne from partita n 2. Regards Jony

[@Anorectic.Bumblebee]

The paradox of starting piano because of the love for music and finding yourself three months later in a slaughterhouse of tension, self hatred, stress and discouragement. Happy practicing everyone.

[@01explorations]

I recommend getting a different teacher - one that is fun for beginners to learn with.

[@aymenortashi8411]

What's the piece in 5:22 pls?

[@Mont_Blanc_Photography]

I really like this approach, it's important for us to remember that we play this instrument because we love it, not as some sort of Sargent's drill. What is the cello sonata that you're playing, that was so beautiful?

[@nehath123]

Will you upload a recording of you playing busoni? Its my absolute favorite piece

[@joshwrightpiano]

Yes, I’ll be releasing tutorials in the next month or so. I will play it through at the end of the tutorial.

[@casimirliberski]

You’re the man

[@jeanlucchauvet8773]

Hi Josh! What's the name of that piece you played around 4.44???

[@jonykeys]

It's Bach chaconne from partita n 2. Regards Jony

[@jeanlucchauvet8773]

Thanks very much!!!!

[@Mattmanutube]

Josh,my key to not being stressed is to not set a goal to accomplish … but to set only the time I will be at the piano. I know that how little it seems, I’ve accomplished more than it seems … because I know my mind will continue to work on whatever I was practicing, when I am not physically pressing the keys. Matt

[@fanach]

Can you please do a tutorial of polka wr by rachmaninoff?

[@bordaz1]

A teacher of mine called these Spontaneous Musical Moments. I don't think mine will sound as good to you as yours do to me 🤣

[@ngjunkai4707]

i am still a (adult) beginner picking up an instrument that i never had a chance to learn when i was young (even i really really wanted to learn it). so now i was in "drills and task" every day hoping that i could master the most basic bow movement, only to find that i still not get into it when i come to the teacher, repeatedly. how could i make the routine practice "does not looks like a task" ? pls help.

[@pianopracticediary]

At the beginning of the video I thought “Is it just me, or does Josh look really tired?” Than you mentioned your children😄

[@ronb6182]

Chopin three against four is my downfall i tried every thing in the book and still is my downfall. Its on my electronic keyboard and i cannot get one hand to play it. Even slow its a nightmare. 73