Why I Don’t Practice Piano for Hours Each Day

[@billsutton801]

Your comment about reaching master level when you are elderly reminded me of my piano teacher. I was an adult beginner at age 35 and my teacher was 92, she had been teaching for 75 years. After a few years of lessons I was playing a Chopin prelude and she stopped me mid massive chord and said "left hand ring finger sharp the F". I think I was playing seven or eight notes at once and not only did she decipher instantly the one note I had wrong but she knew the hand, finger, and correction instantly. I was amazed by her mastery. She left an indelible mark.

[@omg_wtf]

exiled maniac how does the saying go? An expert is someone who has made every mistake there is to make!

[@francishruszka7429]

Thankyou! That's helped to put my mind at rest! 😘🙂

[@Mrfailstandstil]

did she had a perfect pitch?

[@billsutton801]

@@Mrfailstandstil I never asked her if she had perfect pitch, or had she heard the non-sharped F for 70+ yrs and was expecting me to make that mistake? Don’t know.

[@tylerthecreation1877]

Sounds like my first teacher, she was easily late 80’s but had been playing and teaching her entire life.

[@cabal4171]

But Ling Ling practices 40hrs a day.. I must practice 40hrs

[@hannahhenderson271]

TwoSet? XD

[@sunkeeper8009]

No no you forget, 40 hours a day + 11 days a week

[@_introvertivy_166]

pfft, i practice 40 hours never i cant help me

[@attackofthemosquito6228]

If you can practice slowly, you can practice quickly.

[@RockerProf]

Lang Lang?

[@brandonmendoza4493]

I personally disagree with the "go with the waves of inspiration if you like." My high school band teacher once told us, "If you only practice when you're motivated, then you will only be just as good as your random bursts of motivation. If you build discipline to practice regularly, then your greatness will be the norm"

[@TommenIBaratheon]

I second that. The reason why we practice is to improve on a passion that we enjoy. She pretty much says "go with the waves" means, there's no focus, no real study. Her perception is rather mousy. Imho. Serious musicians, please don't listen to her. I've already unsubscribed and thumbed down.

[@miafitzhugh756]

She stated multiple times that her advice is definitely not for music students or professionals, rather people playing for fun.

[@ritchelibajo7104]

i practice every night before i go to sleep

[@1kitts]

That is deep! ♥️

[@mikewhelan9561]

been running since 1974. Always ran by routine and habit. motivation is for fat guys.

[@KeepingOnTheWatch]

Sound and balanced advice. It’s so very true that piano playing is mentally demanding. Since I have a new job I’m concentrating on this for the next little while but starting this December I’ll be resuming piano lessons. When I do I’m determined to simplify the rest of my life (ie. check emails once per day, be selective as to what I read and reduce the overall daily information overload).

[@thegreenpianist7683]

I think it's fine to practice for hours as long as you practice efficiently and take breaks to regain strength and focus unless it drains you then that's obviously not good, I don't know about like 5 hours daily tho that's a little extreme, Liszt was known to practice for soooooo long tho but that's Liszt he is from another planet called Hungary, anyway nice video :)

[@dannyfz]

5 hours a day isnt THAT bad when you consider that its throughout the whole day. Max i go is about 4 and thats only when i have this goal im eager to reach so its still a lot

[@yeeunkwon2399]

During the holidays I do about six hours s day coz I have no life

[@thegreenpianist7683]

Yeeun Kwon yeah I know that feeling xD

[@samuelrappaport6162]

For a working adult like myself 2 hours on a weekday and 4 hours on a weekened is what I can manage.

[@xbabygirl375]

For some reason a lot of your talking videos about Piano experiences relate to things in my life as well, it's like you know my burning questions!! Regardless, I love them and totally agree with you on this point!

[@kyoryu1]

I play for 4 to 5 hours and rest just 20 minutes in short periods(playing since 9 y.o). I have a " U. Bolt stamina thanks to that ammount of hours wich began with 30 minutes a day. I am from Perú and love the piano. Technique improves so... Practice more time!!

[@DrQuizzler]

Ah, the 5-hour practice day!! I remember it well. I couldn't agree with you more, that's great for "serious" music students, and top-tier performers, but for me nowadays, going with the flow is a lot more fun. :)

[@Jojodabaker12]

Warm hands.. listen to opera and ballet...practice repertoire. Sight reading and working on new pieces.. take a break maybe play some jazz on my melodica blues or bossa nova ... get that free and refreshing feel after all the intense masterful notes your brain has analyzed.. after a break I go over any intense passages in pieces sing them out,hear them out, find their colors and play them. Current Pieces working on. Scriabin 24 prelude no1,2,3 and 12. Scriabin Five preludes op 74. Polka theme Shostakovich. Toy Box by Liadov. Schubert trio Nutturno. Mozart Rondo in D. Schubert/Liszt valse 6 and 7. Lizst paraphrase on Rigolleto and Liszt transcription on Beethoven’s 7th symphony-allegreto. anything by Mozart,Chopin, or Scriabin.... Schubert too, he is very special to me and my heart. Have a wonderful day everyone

[@mlzellers]

your statement about practice is it's own reward and in itself must be meaningful really resonated with me

[@jiyounghwang9437]

I agree! I love music and im a piano tutor too. But i value other aspects of my life as well as playing piano for myself. That way i seem to enjoy more with my piano practice! Thank you!

[@hannahhenderson271]

Can you do a video on concert pianists versus pianists. Why do they look and sound so different?

[@christiannarapagnola3299]

I found your channel a few days ago - I just love your spirit and the way you talk about piano! I've always wanted to play the piano but it was hard for me financially - until now. I decided to go for it at the age of 28 and I'm very excited! I wanted to thank you for the great (and huge) content you upload on this channel 😃 Love from Greece!

[@crazysonna]

I loved this video! I can totally relate to this. You have solved my dilemma today. Thank you!

[@Ben-tr2en]

Could you talk about Rachmaninoff and some of his pieces

[@annelysecombitsis7553]

Yes!! And also it's pronounced "RACKmaninoff" lol. love ur vids

[@HanYuYuYu0]

his arrangement of "love's sorrow" is just gorgeous

[@kenoluoch4567]

Yes yes please

[@elisasandrana]

Thanks Allysia, This makes me feel better about not practicing 4 hours a day.. which is my goal as a piano major. Enjoying your videos. :)

[@RisingMelody]

Play the piano for its enjoyment. Sometimes I get too caught up on the technical side of music, and want to practice a piece to the utmost perfection. But I then know that I can't play anything perfectly like a piano master and that demotivates me a lot. I also realized that it is taking my time away from me, making me more busy. It seemed to be almost a chore to maintain. Yet, I remember that there will always be someone who can play better, and someone who can play worse than you. Then, I think to myself again: What is the point of playing music from sheets if everyone plays the same music? What is the enjoyment gained from imitating someone else's music? These reasons forced me away from practicing for a while. For ages and ages I have learned to play the piano because others were learning it. I practiced the piano because others were practicing the instrument. What should I do with my skills now? After all, I've completed my music diploma already. Then it hit me. I found that the value of pursuing music lies in one's ability to create the music. Therefore I pursued to play by ear. And this is when I found true value in playing the piano.

[@mileynick88]

RisingMelody EXACTLY!!! I think the same... I mean playing the same things just for the sake of it, doing what others have already done over and over again. That's why I prefer to play music to enjoy it and feel it and that's why I want to compose too.

[@chezkelhui1010]

Tell this to Ling Ling.

[@JG_1998]

I practice 2-2.5 hours a day. I wish I could do more, but since I'm playing harder pieces I get really mentally fatigued if I practice more than that usually. If I spread it out I could practice more, but sadly my school schedule gets in the way of that. I enjoy practicing, even if it's really repetitive, but makes me exhausted.

[@robb6406]

I like the idea of writing down all your interests on paper and I think I will try doing that. It sounds like a great way to clarify what you really want to do in your life. The Artist's Way book you mentioned is great even though it's been years since I've looked at it. I always found the world of being a pianist quite strange. I remember one of my piano teachers saying she practiced 5-6 hours a day when she did her masters and I always thought that seemed obsessive. Her life was completely dedicated to music. And then I had a college theory professor who said if you want to be good you had to practice 3 hours a day and if you wanted to be REALLY good you had to practice 5 hours a day. The most I've ever done is about 3-4 hours a day, but it's very hard to sustain it and not to mention exhausting. I find an hour and a half to two hours is the best length of time for me.

[@alvarojaviersanchezmontana6410]

Really love your videos. Thanks a lot :)

[@1kitts]

Love the perspective.

[@kelanjo19]

I just had to pause the video to say that this is probably one of my favourite videos of yours. I love getting more insight into who you are other than just the piano stuff (which I also love) I really feel like I’ve learnt a lot about you in this video and would absolutely love it if you did vlogs 🙂

[@27andyD]

just come across your videos which I think are v good,and this one is very well said.i like your approach as so many of the the videos ive come across are taught as every one wants to be a piano master as you say, which I don't but to have fun and enjoy playing which you seem to put across very well.ive still got many to view and ive just subscribed so look forward to watching many more,keep up the good work.

[@JTPCovers]

I agree with everything in this video! I can tell a few hours of practice is good for when I play. Unless I really enjoy playing the song, I will not play for more than that. Great advice!

[@iamsailing7643]

well said, thank you for sharing !

[@Tchaikfan]

Have you heard Liszt's "El Contrabandista"? It would be awesome if you could do a video on it

[@Tchaikfan]

I'm just talking about an analysis video, not her playing it.

[@shinyam75]

Excellent advice, as always. Everything you say is very true.

[@cassanopiano5332]

I'm 16 and a junior in high school, I want to become a professional musician, as you are. I love music. Not too crazy with concert performances but maybe one here and there, teach students and perform when I can. I often feel discouraged with myself when I don't practice enough, how does this video apply to me? I'm at a level where I can play pieces like Clair de lune and libestraum, but not the super intense Chopin and Beethoven like pieces. I want to enjoy piano for life

[@dannyfz]

Joseph Cassano i dont really know much about becoming a pro musician but if its like every other hobby, you should have a minimum and set training time. 30-60min a day

[@oysteinsoreide4323]

Danny F Like she said in the video it might be better to say number of hours a week. Because some days might be out of room or inspiration. But let's say as she did: 5 hours a week as a base amount for getting progress. But I guess if one wants to become a professional musician, then probably one should do more, but it comes down to what else one do in life. There might be many reasons to keep the practice at a minimal but inspirational amount.

[@dannyfz]

Oystein Soreide yea 5 hours a week is a good starting point. If he feels its not enough, he could raise it

[@mayiask654]

I'm not a pro musician but I'm quite sure that unless you are a Superman of piano with piano super powers from outer space one hour practice per day is not even close to enough. Liebestrank and Claire de Lune aren't the hardest pieces. Someone at the age of 16 aiming to be a pro piano player should already be way beyond these pieces. So in my opinion you really have to catch up with the competition. I read an Interview with Lang Lang when he was at the age of 26. There he said that he practices 3 hours a day. When the interviewer was surprised that he wasn't practicing more he answered that on his level he doesn't have to practice more than 3 hours anymore. But that doesn't mean that he didn't practice much much more as a child and teenager. Also when you listen to what Allysia says in her video you will realize that she makes clear that "not more than one hour" doesn't apply to pro musicians or to students that want to become pros.

[@cassanopiano5332]

Danny F I've been getting atleast an hour a day sometimes 2 so maybe 10 hours a week, I'm playing at a pretty high level it's just stressful sometimes because I don't play for money, but I'm going to have to make some in order to survive and make a family when I'm Older, that's always in my head .

[@omaramin7120]

I really like all of your videos.. they're really helpful.. thanks a lot :)

[@ziomatthewmusic4205]

Your points make a lot of sense. For me though I just love to play, I never ever see it as a chore or just practice for the sake of it. I Happily play for two hours every day and I look forward to the next days play. I also play recorder an hour or two but not every day. I can't get enough. Then again I will say that in this moment I am not very busy with work and have a lot of free time and not much money. Other years I have been much more busy and had other hobbies like archery so maybe it is just that I have less going on in my life now that music is such a passion and so important to me each day. Also I had a few years without a piano so obviously these first months since having a piano again I am going to be much more motivated.

[@ziomatthewmusic4205]

I often feel bad that I started piano so late (22) or that I didn't practice many hours a day during all of those holiday months or periods of un or low employment. If I got this good on 2 hours a day then how good could I have been If I had started when I was a teen and really taken it seriously instead of as an adult and just for fun. Then I think of all of the things I have done instead. I managed to get a degree, make lots of friends, learn and play a new sport and compete in national championships (archery) as well as get to grade 4 in just a couple of years of piano lessons. So pretty proud really. My aim was never to perform or make money from it. My aim was to be able to play Evanescence songs and nothing else matters. I have achieved these dreams so I am happy with that. Everyone dreams of being better. If I had played piano all day every day I might have not had the motivation for school work or going out and I might not have been so social. Archery and other hobbies have given my so much so I wouldn't want to sacrifice all of that just to double or treble my piano practice.

[@tomgnau]

Beautifully stated.

[@ShirleyM_Anne]

I advanced pretty quickly from age 7 to age 12 and then gave it up for lots of years... Now I'm a grandma and just found a great deal on a nice Baldwin... I had one lesson with a teacher friend who put me at a grade 4 level... I'm like you, I have lots of different interests, so I plan to purchase some grade 3 books and just have fun learning to sight read again... If you have time, please steer me in a direction of where to find the best music on a budget! Thanks! Really like your videos-- wish I lived in your area!

[@SICRoosterKido]

I love your energy!

[@iwn-og3hw]

I've been watching your videos obsessively to help me teach myself piano. My daughter, who is 6 and is also taking piano lessons (but in her case, with an actual live teacher) came up behind me tonight and was watching this video over my shoulder. After five minutes of watching you, she said "I wish she was my babysitter." Just thought you'd like to know you get the 6-year-old stamp of approval. :)

[@Petterson515]

Allysia, what do you think about doing an overview on Chopin's Nocturnes?

[@amandadangerfieldpiano]

I LOVE THIS because I am the same way, with many interests.

[@milagroschavez8593]

Oh my Gosh I really needed to hear this, thank you

[@veramutschlechner1873]

I feel the same. I asked a Juror from the Busoni Piano Competition ( I was a part of the Junior Jury . We had lunch with they and it was very interesting) how many hours practice are good? And he sad three hours. We can't be more time concentrait. The people that practice more become mentally ill.

[@dodecahe]

Can you do a series where you break down each of the four impromptus by Chopin? I’m working on the first impromptu for my recital coming up

[@clevelandpianostudio]

Really, really enjoying your videos, Alyssia. I’ve reached the “been playing for 50 years” mark this year, and your advice is very uplifting. I’ve been teaching for 32 years and all your thoughts and videos and ideas are giving me a real boost. This video especially as it is been very hard for me to find enough time to practice what I want to be working on (not just my students) because of my aging and sick mom, who I take care of. Loving the 14 day challenge, easy mostly but the flow and format is great, I also picked a piece from Vol II Mikro!

[@rowenah6588]

Right now I am preparing for my ARCT practical and I am practicing 2-3 hours a day. And I only have 3 pieces chosen so far! But ya when I'm not preparing for an exam or regulare lessons i practice a lot less...

[@Olivman84]

Could you make a tutorial/masterclass on Chopin Valse in C# minor?

[@joeloforii]

I can really relate to this video, especially about wanting to do other passions, and I'm finding it quite a struggle when applying for university because im not too sure whether to pursue music or do psychology D: do you have any advice?

[@oysteinsoreide4323]

Venus HANA You must find out what you most want to do as s profession.

[@TheScarekrow420]

Very informative video huge fan of your Channel you are helping more than you know get back on the saddle can you please do a video on the song The Saints go marching in and more on intermediate level stuff and more on hand independence and different techniques with that

[@zacksmitchell8606]

In a practice session, when you reach a “plateau” it usually works to simply stop (get away from it) for about ten minutes and then come back. I read an article in a scientific journal on this kind of thing (not always regarding only piano practice; it applies to many activities), and that is what they found by studies-taking a break and going back WORKS. So what you have said is also true.

[@GarryBurgess]

I can only take 5 minutes at a time for intense focus. But I can easily pack in 15 of those sessions in a day, and I usually go a bit over 5 minutes, so I really only need to do that 10 times to have put in an hour of focused practice.

[@KeepingOnTheWatch]

Garry Burgess You know your limit and you play within it.

[@GarryBurgess]

well, I'll often go over accidentally, and sometimes for as long as half an hour, but thinking only 5 minutes gets me started

[@OneStepToday]

Plz make some videos teaching planning and organizing a routine for an objective based on priority. I am sure there would be countless people like myself with absolutely no focus and goal oriented approach to move ahead with an objective, something thats the most imp task or goal for the day. Your teachings are very helpful and encouraging. God bless you.

[@DonnaHarrisMusicStudio]

Great episode. I'm currently trying to figure out how much to practice each day as lately I feel very tired and too busy. Hope to get back to how I was last year.

[@annaatthepiano9884]

I practise at least 1 hour a day, 5-6 days a week. Once I practise 5 hours in a cold room and I developed an arm injury. It's not worth it. The problem is it's really hard to stop practising.

[@kassandraahuero7962]

I'm adult beginner but have always dreamed of playing piano I practice more when I'm in the mood for music and when I practice it's about 2hrs a day I don't expect to master the piano or be professional I do it because I enjoy playing I have a disability so I never thought my hands would be able to play because I have clubbed hands my fingers get stiff but I'm actually able to play with both hands together so I really surprised myself

[@thiagodefreitaspiano5036]

Could you please tell me the name of the book where you took that phrase that talks about Chopin!! I got really interested.

[@ihavetubes]

Best to go slow in the beginning and gradually increase the practice time as years go by.

[@christofferenfors3676]

I remember my Brother could practice for 5-6hours for months before exams. But he never sat down for more than an hour at a time. Always took breaks, watched movies, went exercising etc.

[@DouglasRosser]

Hate to use a sports analogy, but my high school football coach spoke wisely. "Practice does NOT make perfect. PERFECT PRACTICE makes perfect." It doesn't matter how long you practice if you're putting in "junk hours" getting nothing from it. You know when you hit the wall; know when to take a break and when to smash that wall.

[@niamhkelly6018]

Sometimes it takes sitting down at the piano for a few minutes- even if you’re super reluctant- to find the inspiration and motivation to play. Just try sitting down and you might find the motivation 😄

[@IOxyrinchus]

I practice, on average, 5 to 8 hours a day when I can, but not because I'm pressured to but because I love it and I have a passion for it. Is that excessive? I feel as though I make a lot of progress in my practice sessions. I still get a good amount of exercise and time to read, socialise etc but I sure do squeeze in a lot of practice each and every day. I don't see this as excessive as I'm so used to it, maybe I'm crazy, well if I am... IT FEELS GREAT!!!

[@LivingGuy484]

Have you discussed Rachmaninoff before? I think a little history lesson or even an analysis on one of his pieces would be pretty cool if you have the time.

[@hyenaskate]

I practice 3-hours 5 days. I'm not really interested in playing professionally though.

[@michael.a.covington]

To your concluding point, I am a retired college professor (of computer science, not music), and I used to survey my students about how much time their homework was taking, so I could get some feedback on my teaching technique. I found that there were a few (maybe 5%) who felt they needed to study *all* the time (or at least claim to). I told them that that's not right; you need to be aware whether you're learning something, and whether you're really accomplishing anything in the second or third hour.

[@salikenequist2375]

This is not just in playing the piano. Can also be other things in life. Everything with moderation.

[@Ak-xq6gb]

Well, for me I have so many interests that I usually get overwhelmed by them and do nothing at all or maybe I do but it's so much harder to focus on one thing when there are so many things I could try... Anyway, I am learning violin and Latin and Italian but the violin is so time-consuming that it's like a black hole for my whole free time and I could literally spend my whole day improving just this one skill :(

[@dianadazai7489]

Thanks

[@MrShady1234567890987]

I go through periods of manic productivity and complete disinterest, taking 15 minutes each night to make a schedule for tomorrow really helps me balance things out.

[@Rmanpc2323]

Here is a great book to consider, The Untethered Soul, by Michael Singer, flows right into many of the things that you are doing other than piano:)

[@julienb5925]

Richard Grissom Thank you where can I buy this book?

[@Rmanpc2323]

Julien B I got mine on Kindle but most places online have it.

[@mauriceravel3758]

I practice 25 hours a day.

[@tienusheukelman6135]

Maurice Ravel theres not 25 hours in a day

[@tobiasschenk5799]

Im sold

[@julienb5925]

Tienus Heukelman No shit that's the joke

[@KeepingOnTheWatch]

This gave me a chuckle.

[@julienb5925]

Walter B. Lol

[@underlinedluke]

I think the main point here is to figure out what kind of musician you are or want to be. Then, your practice routine will be planned accordingly. But the tricky thing, at least for me, is that I have not figured out yet. I don't know if I want to perform, teach or just play as a hobby. I would love to know other people's experiences to gain some insight, so if you're reading this and feel like, please reply to my comment with your story. Thanks!

[@nilplaja4673]

I understand where you're coming from, Alyssia, but let me just quote the following remark made by Bruckner himself extracted from the classic "Bruckner Remembered" by Stephen Johnson and referring to the Upper Austrian composer on his early years: 'Ten hours a day at the piano, three hours at the organ - that was my daily regime; any time left over was left for recovering.' Guess Bruckner was a Ling Ling himself...

[@chanelw9408]

My piano got tuned .... been so excited I've been practicing 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day hahaaaaa. I think this is mostly because Christmas is coming so I'm adding more Christmas pieces. (:

[@fidelmflores1786]

Scientific research has shown it takes 10,000 hours to achieve mastery in a subject. For piano it probably takes more. That research also showed working more than 4 hours a day/20 hours a week creates diminishing results, that is you end up worse. In practice this means you can fruitfully accomplish about 1,000 hours a year. After 10 years you have crossed the 10,000 hour line and can approach piano as an expert. If you have the 10,000 hours, yes, absolutely you do not have to practice hours a day. Otherwise, be honest with yourself about how many hours you have practiced and calculate how far below 10,000 you currently are. Set up a practice schedule accordingly. Me? I've played piano 6 years, and have approximately 3,300 hours of practice. I have 6,700 hours to go. At 20 hours a week (4 hours 5 days a week) for 7 more years, I'll be at the 10,000 hour mark. Ask me in 7 years if I made it!

[@apacheee]

how're you coming along?

[@fidelmflores1786]

@@apacheee wow that was 3 years ago? Time flies. I'm now at 5,900 hours. Getting there but still have a ways to go. In those years I've hurt my hands & arms but not from piano; just life. Am I getting better? I think so but progress definitely slows down as the music and technical aspects get more complex. Most everything I work on gets put aside because I'm stuck. When I come back to it weeks or months later I get past the stuck part until the next stumbler crops up. At this rate this will take till 2025-2027. Due to age can't rule out death cutting me down before I reach 10,000!

[@MusicalMissCapri]

Exactly! :)

[@axolotlpie]

I’m ten, and I practice 3-4 hours every day. I’m preparing for Juilliard. Is that OK?

[@LadieBjj]

I practice hours a day and I got tendinitis! I had to get steroids shots. Now that I am better, I learned my lesson. Take it easy! So I set an hour a day and that’s it. I never want to feel that pain again. So my advice is, don’t cripple yourself. Listen to your body. If it’s hurting you, stop! You might do permanent damage.

[@verandi3882]

well, damn I don't even play piano , but most of the things you say can apply on other instruments, words of wisdom

[@nachobaeza]

Hey there! I have a question for anyone who plays piano: Is singing and playing the chords in piano a way of practicing? Because I really don't find the way to be even half an hour a day just playin without singing at all. I just don't have that amount of things to play (I think)

[@Michael-uk3pj]

You would agree that consistent practice is better than binge practicing though? I'm only a beginner on piano but I have taught guitar and I always tell my students 10 minutes day trumps an hour once a week...

[@manelvidiella8004]

1h technique because im soooo beginner and 30 min of melody is ok?

[@Sunflowrrunner]

It's more about quality of practice than quantity. If your practice sessions are all always 95% old repertoire played in a casual way, you're not going to advance nearly as fast as focus practiced to achieve goals.

[@SantaridesaKTM]

Excellent>

[@precisionhoops365]

Sweet

[@slowlerner6833]

I find absolutely wise your approach, in fact we should be pursuing the quality and efficient practise time more than the quantity. To reflect upon, why are we working 40 hours a week? Can anyone focus on a job 8 hours a day? Not me...

[@brianbernstein3826]

I practice between 18 and 20 hours per day, mostly scales. My pinkies are now able to lift heavy barbells

[@KlavierKannNichtMehr]

There are two reasons (in general) why people play piano: 1, because they enjoy making music, 2, because in addition to 1 they want to entertain others with their playing. Not everyone wants to go to stage 2. I personally enjoy - generally - the sounds my piano emits when I play it. That enjoyment is enough for me, full stop. Others, perhaps even the majority, want also to entertain others, as in 2. Those in that category will always be subject to additional pressure - who wants to make a fool of themselves by playing with lots of mistakes? Playing piano is not the same as strumming a guitar with a few chords. Which means that the pressure to improve in order to be a better entertainer is a major factor when you play. Teachers should also ask their pupils exactly why they are learning the piano. Is it because their parents believe that they will get better school results? If so then that could be putting even more stress on the child. Music is a form of entertainment, with a strong personal creative side. Very few of us will, would have, reach the level of a professional performer, irrespective of the music gendre in question. We should therefore concentrate on our own personal enjoyment first. We should not let others - including our teachers - dictate the terms of our learning process to the extent that pleasure becomes pain.

[@drmichaelshea]

And I practice 27 hours per day, but I have to get up at (minus) 3 AM to do it, and I never sleep. It’s quite tiring.

[@KeepingOnTheWatch]

Well, with 365 hours per day and 12 days per week you should be able to practice 27 hours per day with ease.

[@elmehdioubouhouch]

I’m a beginner and I’m practicing 5 hrs everyday but it is very very hard but i just have to do it every single day that’s what my brain says to me i can’t finish my scales all o them in 15 min or even 30 min I need 1hr in half just for scales another hour for arpeggios 40 minutes for chord inversion 30 min for octaves 20 min hanon 15 cromatic scals 30 min sight reading 15 min for rhythm 15 ear training ditonic chords for keys theres a lot and I can’t fit all this in one day

[@mr.p5446]

Hey. With all humility and humbleness I’d like to ask you ... have you ever played difficult pieces Ballade n4 , n2 , Scherzo n2 , la Campanella and other masterpieces ? Because I tell you from a musician perspective , if you practice less then 3 hours a day ( at least 19 hours a week) and still master over those difficult , challenging pieces please I would love to have a master class with you . Would love to know your secret. Of course , if you don’t have interested in challenging repertoires few hours a week is ok to kinda like maintain certain things going on provided those things are relatively easier.

[@KlavierKannNichtMehr]

They may be technically very difficult, but their entertainment value is entirely subjective. That means that „simplistic“ music can have as much entertainment value as difficult Chopin piece. There is so much snobbism in music, and it is mainly driven by elitism. Music probably emerged from drumming and DANCE. Not Chopin and co. And I do love much of his work, but I also think that Adele is tremendous too…

[@mr.p5446]

@@KlavierKannNichtMehr music did not emerge from drumming and dance that’s has always been the separation for thousand of years. The concept of orquestra and instrumental music date back 3000 years at least ( obviously with different instruments ) . I know humans are snob and whenever they touch something great such as art , pride comes forth if one is really good and not careful enough to understand we are nothing but dust in ourselves. We, like a flower, are here today and gone tomorrow. That being sad, although Adele is an excellent singer ( I like evanescence) , there is no way I would dare to place her or any other singer on the same level of the great geniuses of music. What they created , the level of complexity . Their pieces are like a movie or a painting with hundreds of texture and shades. They come from a time that not even radio had been invented ( Rachmaninov is an exception besides others from the 20th century ) . Today we are saturated by music although of terrible quality ( not every one is like Adele nowadays) . But back then, the day to day work was done and all that could be heard musically was simple hums or if somebody was playing flute or guitar in the streets to make some money. Then, you would hear that The great Mozart composed a new symphony, concerto or opera … you would go and buy a ticket for the lowest seat in the theater . Then all of a sudden the music , the colors , the textures , a whole new world would appear in front you. Even simple people from that time could assimilate music better than nowadays because they had to seize every bit of that piece. Why? Because once the baton stops moving, you now only have memories of music . Everything is silent again , now all you can do is humming . Back then Music was like a painting that soon dissipated and was unbuilt once the musician stopped playing. This is special . And , you had mentioned about elitism . Well, have you been in Adele’s shows ? Almost 900 dollars in February 2022. With the best seats close to the orquestra coating 78 thousand . Yes , 78000 dollars. I believe these prices are much much higher if compared to prices to attend classical music concerts in the 18th century and certainly nowadays with good tickets for watching The great Yefim Bronfman playing Prokofiev for 60 dollars per person and front seat : 200 . People do not have patience anymore and it’s much more convenient to listen to Adele because it is easier for the ears . It does not require reflection or great deal of attention like classical music does. The opportunities to listen to and practice classical music is out there for everyone. Here in the states the kids get familiar with orquestra instruments since elementary school. Juilliard has an amazing project teaching musical concepts for kids in the public system for free . I believe what you call elitism and snobbism is just part of human nature. Didn’t you see the video where snoopy dog was 3 hours late for a radio interview and when questioned about that he , full of himself said: you better appreciate I am even here . Didn’t you see how the lead singer from maroon 5 reacted when a girl went up stage to hug him ? That was sheer snobbism , sheer elitism. I believe at the end of the day it’s just choice. People have opportunities but they decide not to because , as I sad, it is easier for them to listen to “easier” stuff because it requires less amount of pondering.

[@sthompson2839]

@@mr.p5446 tl:dr

[@TheHeroRobertELee]

As someone with a degree in music, if you want to perform pieces like the Ballades, Scherzos, Etudes, etc. then you want to practice 3+ hours daily, unless you plan on butchering the piece. Otherwise, if you already are at professional/amateur professional level or only play as a hobby, then yeah, don't worry about practicing more than an hour a day. Otherwise, stick to easy boring pieces and works. Liszt was the best performer for a reason, he practiced just his SCALES 12-hours a day.

[@KlavierKannNichtMehr]

where exactly is the entertainment value in relentlessly playing scales? Zero. Music for most of us is NOT an end in itself. I often wonder who „great“ performers like Levit cope as humans, locked away for hours not end in order to perfect a few bars of a fast passage at breakneck speed, in order to „better“ entertain us…

[@laurie7357]

« Angry » Chopin face in the thumbnail ... 😂👌🏻

[@elaina751]

Ehhhh being a younger but advanced student with a deadline for certain things you have to complete it’s kind of hard to “go with the flow”

[@TheCommentsTrollStrikes]

i dont practice 5-7 hours a day because I am forced to or need to complete exams, its cause I fucking love playing it. but, for me the goal IS to be a master, and if that is not your goal, this is fine too! i dont like telling people that so and so practice will harm you on piano, as I dont believe in that since ive never personally experienced harm from doing it. long story short, do what comes natural, but be disciplined.

[@sdka9922]

I guess if somebody puts a low priority in piano playing among plenty of other things to do and feels like it is acceptable to remain a mediocre (low average to be polite) player, that is a conscious choice. But I do not know of any good piano player that has become such with just one hour per day of practice. Piano like other activities (cooking) requires dedication to get to a reasonable level. I personally do not see the point of starting piano playing especially as an adult with the purpose of remaining average/intermediate; it just brings frustration. The sad reality is that it is a good business for many people who sell products and services; like piano teachers who are just dishonnest with their student as to what level they can really achieve. All these people feed themselves on the dreams of their clients, knowing that a fair majority will drop anyway or stagnate by lack of time and persistence (or lack of results) and they keep pushing them to continue even tough they know perfectly well that they will remain mediocre players. But hey, I guess everyone has to make a leaving.

[@lawleejohn]

Have you thought about starting a KZbin channel on cooking?

[@IvoCabrera]

I practice only 1 hour per day but i would do it for at least 4 hours if i had more free time

[@Alboto]

You're Canadian!

[@choubaka47]

and if i practice 5 hours everydays? ^^

[@Mx.Pickle]

I do 20 - 25 minutes.

[@JustinRoblox]

4 hours a day for me is good :)

[@floridaraceday3089]

Thank you for writing this - as a music teacher myself I'm always beating myself up in that I don't practice a set number it's just not in my life goal

[@alejandromedina2349]

Quite insightful video. Although it is clear that we need a lot of practice to be good at it, there is no enough evidence of 10000 hours to be a master of anything, and that assertion is just a myth.

[@SlushyCheese]

Please show YOGO//