What is the Most Productive Practice Routine?

This is LivingPianos.com. I'm Robert Estrin asking the question: What is the most productive practice routine? I'm sure this is important to many of you. If you spend a lot of time during the week practicing the piano, you want to get as much accomplished as possible. People often ask me, "How much time should I spend on this or that? Should I be doing exercises?" People sometimes feel lost deciding what to practice. They don't know if they're spending the appropriate amount of time on each discipline. I'm going to give you things you should be doing in your practice daily, or almost every day. Certainly, the ones at the beginning of this list are going to be things you should do every day, and towards the end of the list are things you should do every week. I'm listing them in order of importance of how much time you should spend on the following tasks:
livingpianos.com/what-is-the-...

[@PASHKULI]

The best: · warm up (some scales, parallel interval structures, some arpeggios, a few basic and a few wide chords across) · study some pieces you love by practicing · take 10 min. rests (get up, walk around) every 20 min. play or just take rests now and then · do not spend time on KZbin "learning", you won't learn to play anything · practice, practice, practice · practice makes perfect · try to compose something yourself · do not waste time learning everything (it is a lot and you will be wasting your life)

[@dulistanheman]

Good! Also listening to favorite records from favorite artist from different kind of genres. This way we can learn the *practical* way to perform. This is the highest goal that every pianist should aim, how to perform. The best artist will include all the main fundamental of melodic, tempo and dynamic combined with expressions in their playing.

[@dinaschirripa95]

I HAVE BEEN TEACHING FOR 34 YEARS THE PIANO - AND I THINK YOU HAVE A GOOD WAY OF PRESENTING YOURSELF

[@TheMonkeydood]

YEAH

[@JD-72191]

Ha that happens to me all the time...”did I do this yesterday”? I thought it was just me. Thank you for relieving my mind. Enjoy your channel so much.

[@brendaboykin3281]

GREAT ONE, CHIEF!!! Focusing on Jazz Eartraining ,and this is exactly what I need for motivation. Much success in 2022.🌹🌹🌹

[@StopAndGetGas]

Thank you Robert. As I’m revisiting trumpet study on a regular basis, this summary of practice tips is great. I followed each of your points, as they are very transferable from my perspective. I could even relate to your mentioning ‘broken’ chord voices from a guitarist’s perspective. Just great. Thank you.

[@briancamcginn]

Great video! I pretty much follow all of this so I'm glad I'm on the right path. I do find I advance quickly and so I can attest this works.

[@SaiBardSukotoAkura]

Thank you so much, once again, Mr. Estrin!

[@robbes7rh]

Great lesson. This is Golden advice. If you are cut out to be a musician -- which is not everyone's idea of a bed of roses -- you won't mind the work that goes into it. In fact you'll be drawn to it.

[@PianistStefanBoetel]

Thank you so much for your great advices!

[@Simon-xu1qt]

This was very helpful thank you. I did not realise that sight reading practise pieces had to be much easier than the pieces I am learning and so I have started using a grade 2 book for sight reading and that even in the short time since this video has helped me. I thought the level should be similar and so was struggling.

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Great practical advice, sir! I did many of the processes you suggest when I was young. Somehow forgot how I advanced. Very reaffirming to find I was on the right track. And will get back on it!

[@alancooke2588]

Really enjoying this. Robert. thank you so much. You've answered so many questions.

[@KeepingOnTheWatch]

Theory, yes! My online teacher today explained some theory behind the piece that I’m learning. It brought it to life and motivated me to keep learning my theory on a daily basis.

[@nickk8416]

Thanks for such practical, down to earth advice Robert. Best Regards.

[@jesushong]

Just the video i was looking for... thanks!

[@PerpetualTwilight88]

Makes a lot of sense. Thx so much for sharing

[@carolpowers4077]

Thank you! This is very helpful!

[@rogercarroll2551]

Always such good advice.

[@Rombizio]

This man spoke some truths there. Excellent advice.

[@bigdreams5554]

Great tips.

[@aaroncheng3432]

Thanks for the great video!

[@andreasmaier5361]

Thank you! Very helpful advices! Best regards from Germany

[@rafaelgomez1989]

THE BEST CHANNEL, PERIOD !!!!

[@garycitro1674]

More well organized sage advice rom the Master. Robert is so down to earth with his advice. There are many prodigies out there for whom everything seems to come so easily. For the rest of us we have to constantly work to make gradual progress. I'm 60 with still a long way to go but I enjoy every minute. Thank you, Robert! But what happened to the prototype digital with the real piano action?

[@bry5an]

You are a gem Robert!

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thanx, Maestro 🌹🌹🌹

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

it is when you improvise, memorize some part, and work on a single technical/sonic detail. Gratulations to the channel, and gruesse aus Salzburg!

[@FulvioGa]

Unvaluable advices! Thank you.

[@lowkinfeng4468]

You meant invaluable

[@FulvioGa]

@@lowkinfeng4468 thanks, English is not my first language.

[@vanguard4065]

practice what you love to play. i’m a guitarist, and for example, i DON’T practice fingerstyle, because i use a pick, and i don’t want to learn fingerstyle. everything i practice is something i want to actually play, and i only practice exercises that will allow me the technique and stamina to play what i want to hear.

[@suhailakaabia1662]

Really thanks

[@anthonydecarvalho652]

Great video

[@harrynking777]

Memorising helps make the practice session more interesting and rewarding.

[@jwetzel3141]

Scott joplins rags are great for sight reading through.

[@olauda]

Wish you could be my teacher! Feel like I'd learn so much.

[@roxiebot7482]

I have trouble trying to fit all this into an hour practice. I often feel like something is going to get neglected because it's just not enough time to practice everything that you should.

[@gerardvila4685]

You and me both. But if you just keep going for one hour a day you're sure to make progress!

[@Rombizio]

Unfortunately if it doesnt fit in 1 hour you need more time. Maybe 2 hours. Sounds like a silly advice but if you progress enough you reach a new level of playing that requires more time.

[@gerardvila4685]

@@Rombizio You remind me of a dentist I knew once. I mentioned piano to him, and he told me he'd given it up. Because at the level he was playing, he needed to practice 3 hours a day to make any progress... I couldn't help thinking he was throwing out the baby with the bathwater, but who was I to judge?

[@charlesallan6978]

Subdivide the metronome speed and strive for accuracy.

[@r.j4449]

I´ve found that reading above your level also brings learning sight reading. Because your brain learns where the notes are in the keyboard.

[@velcroman11]

And just how many hours are required to do ALL these exercises and techniques you recommend. All you say is good but it is SO overwhelming.

[@ziomatthewbari3300]

Ahh comforting to know I am practicing in the right way 😁.

[@KyleHohn]

8:09 draw the rest of the owl lol

[@velcroman11]

If we where Vulcans we could just transfer knowledge from one brain to another, would help me a lot. Problems is, I am an Earthling, not a Vulcan.

[@jackiepike1466]

Practice and pretend you are a Vulcan.

[@drparfait3739]

Everyone knows Pavlov’s dog but no one recalls the 2nd part of his experiment. Retraining his dog was faster…

[@alext8828]

For the absolute beginner learning the notes, remember that each successive space or line is a two-note interval. That way you don't really need to think about the second note. Just move to the second note away from the first. That pattern, and others, will help you move ahead more easily.

[@PASHKULI]

Sure?

[@alext8828]

@@PASHKULI Are you okay with that?

[@coyjin]

The most productive practice routine is to never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line.

[@tckgkljgfl7958]

I couldnt disagree more with the first point.

[@LivingPianosVideos]

I have had the opportunity to study with a number of great pianists who all believe that always expanding your repertoire is vital to grow as a musician. By doing it first in your practice while your mind is fresh, you can accomplish more.

[@robertcook2572]

Just play the piano. Any time at the keys is time well spent. If you have to force yourself all the time then you've picked the wrong hobby. There's no shame in this. In fact, realising you're not a pianist frees you try something else.

[@carlus6432]

Practice is really helpful tho

[@RomeoMaestro]

I'm sorry, but could you talk less and show more in all your videos? It's really annoying when you are talking-and talking-talking-and talking about exercises and we never know when you are going to really show them. That's why I almost stopped watching your channel despite some of your lessons are really good.

[@gjeacocke]

memorising classical is what has led to its downfall. forcing musicians to learn a piece is not musical for we have performances of piano quartets to shows memorising is not essential. it is about elitism. pianist sonly play what they want to play. when in fact musicians should SERVE and play what the pubic would like to hear. for what a pianist likes may not be what the public likes. this is why funding fails SCHOOLS. and I am talking about children schools. the musical establishments are worse than the government. demanding the ONLY musicians that should be recognised is one that is PERFECT. Stephen hough a practising Roman Catholic should know better than to endorse this kind of twisted thinking. elitism to the core.

[@anjapinkau3737]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. You have yours. I disagree. I want to play Chopin. Not because I feel elitist, but because I love his music. I have to actually learn it, I can't just sit down and sightread it. I play for myself and don't care what other people want. I do agree though that nobody should be forced to learn classical music if they don't want to. But it is up to them to just not let anyone force them.

[@gjeacocke]

@@anjapinkau3737 you do not have to MEMORISE Chopin to play it. rofl. that is my point. you waste your LIFE memorising music and FOR WHAT? to GLORIFY your amazing feat of memory? Chopin is ONE composer. you are elitist. play Eric Satie. Ivan Drago played for himself in ROCKY IV. the bad guy. all musicians are SELFISH if they play for themselves. it is like a dating club. you are setting up a date with a new composer with a member of the public.

[@anjapinkau3737]

@@gjeacocke I do have to memorize Chopin. I couldn't possibly sightread his music. I'm memorizing it to be able to actually play it and not stumble through it. That is simple pragmatism, no glorification or elitism. Yes, of course, there are other composers, like Rachmaninov or Liszt, whom I'd like to play. But again: without knowing the sheet music - by heart - there is no way for me to play them at all, let alone beautifully. How can you concentrate on the articulation of the music when you still struggle with the individual notes? I guess you were made to learn the music of composers by heart you were not really interested in. I know the feeling. You just wanted to make music, improvise, just play without overthinking it. And now you hate all of it because it had cost you precious time and energy which you could have invested in learning how to improvise. Right? There are so many people out there with different aims and preferences. Why shouldn't there be people who rather play freely and improvise and other people who have different tastes and enjoy other composers more?

[@gjeacocke]

@@anjapinkau3737 people do not memorise piano quartet etc. they are NOT REQUIRED to memorise it. do you know much about music and yet judge me for what I contributed? you naturally remember the notes when you play it frequently and have the score in front of you. YOU CAN play it without memorising it. WHY can't I be recognised in the universities for contributing to SIGHT READING? Stephen hough said musicians were jealous of people who could sight read. piano teachers have to listen to bad performances of their students. do they do it? why did POEPLE record John Ogden performing? he could play it. professors, friends and families all said John Ogden could sight read. where are the performances to show Johns ability? they oppressed him. no wonder he one mad. he was never appreciated even by musicians. no wonder terence Judd committed suicide. I am saying this because CLASSICAL MUSIC IS NOT GETTING FUNDED IN SCHOOLS for children. for some reason you are alienating people. and it has to do with memorising pieces. look at Marc Andre Hamelin. spent 60 years knowing ALKAN. I took 2 months to sight read everything he wrote. whereas he played 9 pieces of Alkan. memorising is not a PRODUCTIVE way to be a musician.

[@AnneShirleyMarshall]

I think I gave up learning classical after being introduced to Beethoven... didn't play piano for years (but did study pipe organ in college briefly)... Now for fun I just sight read my basic Bach collection and then try and play pop music by ear... One thing that did help my ear training was also studying flute and singing... If a song pops into your mind, sit down and try to play it on the keyboard, then try to play it in several different keys...