Granular Practice - The Key to Piano Mastery

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Welcome to LivingPianos.com! Today, we're diving into a crucial subject: the importance of granular practice. This technique is an incredibly productive tool for musicians, and I'll demonstrate its effectiveness using a simple piece by Schumann and a more complex piece by Liszt. By breaking music down into granular elements, you can save a tremendous amount of practice time.

[@donb6070]

To practice, I should send my wife on day long holidays so she need not wonder what I'm doing on the keys. Thank you for your competent instruction.

[@aBachwardsfellow]

- she could go to the Florida keys while you're on the 88 keys ....

[@Chysp010-sd7nt]

It makes it easier to learn, AND to retain. Great advice, Robert--thanks!

[@raeannag]

I have been using and sharing your videos for years and wanted to tell you how thankful I am for your videos! Keep up the great work!

[@LivingPianosVideos]

That’s good to hear! Email me and you can get our informative newsletters with fresh videos and articles: [e-mail]

[@372005629]

From France, thanks you very much for your channel. You're doing an amazing job. So helpfull. Hence I recently bought a 1913 model O, entirely rebuilt and watching your videos was of great help.

[@IvoryMadness.]

I'm a really beginner in the piano, but I think this "way" to practice sounds really useful!

[@danielbischof2843]

Thanks from Switzerland for this great Tutorial.

[@jimokeefe3417]

This will definitely help memorization as it adds multiple inputs for the brain to store and cross reference. Nicely done Robert.

[@nickk8416]

Thanks Robert. It's great to see things in a new perspective. Your lessons have been very helpful. I was never taught how to practice when I was young. If I only had your ideas 50 years ago. Regards.

[@aBachwardsfellow]

Thank you, Robert, for sharing with us the true art of finding ALL the music behind the printed notes! It is in following and hearing the linear, melodic voice of each line rather than the vertical occurrences of tones on a beat. This also invaluable on the organ, where we have to play close attention to the articulation of each melodic line -- somewhat easier on the organ in one sense given the advantage of different registrations for different lines. However, the organ lacks the possibility of shadings and nuance available on the piano.

[@grumpybumblebee6663]

Excellent tips as always

[@johncostigan6160]

If I had watched this video before I took my 4th semester piano proficiency test, I wouldn't have gotten a C- (fail). I fell down on 4-part chorales. Thank-you for the unique lesson!

[@lsh6869]

Thanks so much for such a useful and clear video, this is going to help so much!

[@lizweekes8076]

Thanks Robert. 🎉🎉

[@sunving]

Thank you very much. I start to see.

[@RMPdude]

Excellent。Thank you!

[@ackamack101]

So playing the inner and outer parts of a piece separately to get it in your ear and gain an awareness of inner voices. A ‘hands separate’ for each line.

[@LivingPianosVideos]

That's exactly right! Sometimes the inner line can be divided between the hands. In that case, the inner line can be learned separately as well! Here is an example of that: livingpianos.com/how-to-learn-schumann-scenes-from-childhood/ This method can be utilized in learning counterpoint, such as fugues as well.

[@gryffynda1]

Excellent advice! I’m thinking that there could perhaps be a granular step where one uses the same fingering - say 5th finger to play the descending or ascending line (for example). So that the same fingers are being used as would be used in the end.

[@K_Art4845]

Thanks Robert, I have just bought a new music piece today - so I will try this method straight away. This new piece has a 9/8 time signature - do you have any tips or a video on that - I am not sure how to count it. Thank you.

[@LivingPianosVideos]

This may help you: livingpianos.com/how-to-figure-out-rhythms-counting/ When 8 is the bottom number in a time signature, the measure is divided into groups of 3 8th notes. 6/8 time is 2 groups of 3 8th notes. 9/8 is 3 groups of 8th notes. 12/8 is 4 groups of 8th notes. In each of these cases, if the tempo is fast, 6/8 can be counted in 2, 9/8 can be counted in 3 and 12/8 can be counted in 4. Each beach is a dotted quarter note which equals 3 8ths.

[@456death654]

My teacher says to seperate hands till it's perfect then bring hands together slowly

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Here is that concept in more detail: livingpianos.com/how-to-practice-the-piano-part-1-memorizing-music/

[@456death654]

​@@LivingPianosVideosyep that is awesome. Wish more teachers would emphasis this. Thank you

[@velcroman11]

Do we really want to save time in practice or do we want to make our practice time more productive?

[@LivingPianosVideos]

They are one in the same. The point is to be effective in the work you do. Then you will get more done in the time you spend at the piano.

[@aBachwardsfellow]

​@@LivingPianosVideos Perfectly stated! The benefits of time spent perfecting the artistry of a performance far exceed the quantity of time -- however brief -- of failing to do so ...

[@frankl6831]

@@LivingPianosVideosWell said. Perfect answer to that question.

[@sandeegrey5977]

That AI generated thumbnail tho

[@aBachwardsfellow]

-- matches that AI-generated comment ... (... are you STILL on that? You can find help, you know .... ) Ok - perhaps we discussed this previously, but just how can you tell -- beyond any doubt -- that the logo is an AI-generated logo rather than a logo created manually by a graphics artist using graphic design tools. Is it the "simplicity" which causes you to make that assumption? Could not the same logo be created manually by a graphics artist using graphic design tools? Perhaps it was, and that is exactly what Robert wanted to look like. Do you have a suggestion as to how Robert's logo *should* look? Or are you just lonely and looking for attention?

[@aBachwardsfellow]

The terms "AI-generated images/artwork" and "computer-generated graphics (CGI)" or "generative graphics (GG)" are related but have some distinct differences: AI-Generated Images/Artwork: - AI-generated images/artwork refer to visual content created through the use of artificial intelligence algorithms, typically deep learning models like GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks) or VAEs (Variational Autoencoders). These algorithms are trained on large datasets of images and can generate new, original images based on the patterns and styles they have learned during training. - AI-generated images often involve a level of creativity and randomness, as the AI system can produce novel and sometimes unexpected results. Artists and designers may use AI as a tool to inspire or assist in their creative process. - AI-generated images are often associated with the idea of "creative AI" or "artificial creativity," where the AI system plays an active role in the artistic process. Computer-Generated Graphics (CGI) or Generative Graphics (GG): - CGI or generative graphics refer to visual content created using traditional computer graphics techniques, such as 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software. These tools are widely used in industries like film, video games, architecture, and product design to create realistic or stylized visuals. - CGI typically involves more manual control and direction from human artists or designers. While some aspects of CGI workflows may be automated or procedurally generated, the final output is often a result of human input and decision-making. - Generative graphics, on the other hand, can involve algorithms or scripts that generate visual content procedurally based on predefined rules or parameters. This can lead to a high degree of variation and complexity in the generated graphics. In summary, while both AI-generated images/artwork and CGI/generative graphics involve the use of algorithms to create visual content, the former emphasizes the role of artificial intelligence in the creative process and may produce more unexpected or unconventional results, while the latter typically involves more manual control and is commonly used in industries where visual realism and control are key factors. AI-generated logo design and manual logo design differ in terms of quality assurance. AI-powered logo makers use algorithms to create logo designs automatically, while manual logo design involves human designers creating logos. Research has shown that AI-powered logo makers need to calibrate their algorithms to meet expected logo design standards. On the other hand, manual logo design allows designers to incorporate their creativity and expertise to ensure high-quality logo designs. AI-powered logo makers often lack the visual properties and principles required for a logo, such as proportion, balance, and unity. In contrast, manual logo design allows designers to consciously incorporate these principles into their designs. Therefore, while AI-generated logo design offers automation and convenience, manual logo design provides the assurance of meeting design standards and incorporating essential visual principles.

[@RobertMayes-ux2rd]

7:46 ​@@aBachwardsfellow

[@paules3437]

I sprinkle sand onto my keyboard... so my practice is VERY granular. 1:22 Wait, "The Poet Speaks" was written in a corral?? No wonder Schumann's fourth finger was messed up. Must have been the reins. Isn't the GERMan title "Der Dichter Spritzt"....? 3:09. Do we think JS Bach could have written a fugue based on the alto line he plays here. I think he probably could have! In all seriosity, when working on Granados' "El Pelele," i xeroxed the music on colored paper, cut it up into 1-2 measure pieces, taped them to a background piece of paper in my binder (sometimes even taping them upside down so I was forced to get out of my comfort zone) and learned them that way. Of course, that particular piece is not playable by humans, but still...

[@medusa210562]

This is how stupid people learn, which is most of us, including myself, of course.