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Joined: Feb 2011
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So since June 5th 2009 I have been recording exactly what I have practiced each day in one of those ridicuously overpriced Moleskin notebooks (they tell me Beethoven used one, therefore I must).
Initially, I just started using the book as a way to keep track of my tempos each day for exercises like scales, arpeggios, ect. Then I started writing in the peices I was also practicing, whether or not I did any sight-reading that day, and any other thoughts that I felt I might need to remember for the next day's practice session.
Here are some random examples of my entries:
June 16 2009 -F minor scale: quarter notes at 82 bpm -F minor chords: half notes at 56 bpm -F minor contrary broken chords: quarter notes at 50 bpm -A-flat major arpeggios: quarter notes at 86 bpm
Jan 1st 2010 -B flat minor legato scale: HS, HT, par, cont, har, mel, nat 16th notes at 70bpm -B flat minor Dom7th solid chords: HT -B flat minor Dom7th broken chords: quarter notes at 100 bpm -Bach Chorale #7 line #3 -B flat minor Stacatto scale: HS, HT, par, cont, har, mel, nat, 8th notes at 85 -B flat minor arpeggios: HS, HT, par, 8th notes at 90 bpm -Dom7th arpeggios: HS, HT, par, 8th notes at 80 bpm -Le Cuckoo - Daquin -Menuett in G - Beethoven -Liszt - Un Portrait en Musique
Jan 28th 2011 -Hanon #7 in C maj: 8th notes at 68 -Hanon #7 in F sharp maj: 8th notes at 54 -D min solid chords: HT quarter notes at 108 -D min broken chords: HT, par, 8th notes at 64 (watch fingering) -D min arpeggios: HT, HS, 8th notes at 78 (remember to practice HS) -Bach -Telemann -Melartin
As you can see, I invented my own sort of short-hand. HT=hands together, HS=hands separate, par=parallel motion, cont=contrary motion, form=formula pattern, nat=natural minor, har=harmonic minor, mel=melodic minor. Also (you can't see this in my examples) right next to the bpm number I have put a little quarter note, eighth note, or whatever, so that I know what the click of the metronome corresponds to.
Anyway I am starting a new Log book (old one is full) and I am just wondering if anyone had any suggestions about the kinds of things I should be writing about the pieces I practice. It is easy to jot down facts about mundane exercises, but I am never sure what to write about pieces. I usually just write down the name of the pieces I have practiced that day. Is there a way to kind of form a short-hand about pieces so that I don't end up writing long drawn out sentences?
As a side-note, if anyone is considering also keeping one of these Log books, I highly recommend you purchase something relatively durable. I have on more than one occasion spilled my coffee on the poor thing and it has taken quite a pounding from my textbooks and binders inside my backpack during my travels to and fro the conservatory where I have my lessons and do most of my practising.
Last edited by polyphasicpianist; 12/15/11 02:47 AM. Reason: BTW: Only one more day until Beethoven's Birthday!
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,377
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My practice log looks like this, scribbled in an almost indecipherable handwriting:
12/13/11 30' GT Schub 6:12 Scar K403 6:44 Schub 90mm 7:10 ------ 12/14/11 30' GT Scar K403 5:50 BS 6:19 Xmas 6:39 Rain HS 6:55
So only I can decipher it. And if I look back several months, even I can't decipher it.
30' GT = my lunchtime piano breaks Schub = Schubert impromptu Scar K403 = Scarlatti Sonata K403 BS = Brahms Scherzo Rain = Raindrop prelude HS = hands separate 90mm = metronome marking
and so on and so forth
Sam
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Last year I created some rather elaborate spreadsheets with space for my playlist, scales, new pieces, exercises, sight reading, etc. I spent a lot of time revising it every time I thought of something I wanted to add or delete from it. It was more trouble than it was worth. LOL
Now I just use a cheap school notebook. I list the things that I plan to work on for the next few days, and check them off each day as I do them. There is room at the bottom to add something, and for notes or comments. It works really well for me, and I can see my progress when I look back.
I have a brand new notebook waiting for 2012 (will run out of room in the old one soon), and I will put a year end evaluation and my goals for the new year on the first page, and then proceed with my usual log. Mine also would probably not make sense to anyone but me. Anything however simple or complicated that keeps you practicing what you need to practice is great.
mom3gram
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Joined: Sep 2006
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I use loose-leaf paper in a 3-ring binder because I want all the comments on a particular piece together. Then I just log the time and the name of the piece in a running log, and all the longer comments by piece.
I log whether I've just played thru it for review of repertoire, or worked on a particular few measures, HS or HT, tempo, improv and a note about what that was, chord progressions/cadences, transposing, memorizing, etc. The tempo is what I check most regularly when I sit down to practice - I can usually remember other technical details of a piece that I'm working on.
I've also added up the time at the end of the month/year to see how much I've actually been practising - I don't play every day for various reasons, but I have an "average/day" goal that I'm working toward, and increasing that a little at a time.
I tried nice fixed-page notebooks several times and I just need the loose-leaf for the flexibility and the notes-for-a-piece-in-one-place for my practice.
Cathy
Cathy Perhaps "more music" is always the answer, no matter what the question might be! - Qwerty53
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Joined: Sep 2006
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mom3gram - yes, the goals for the year. I have a grouped list at the beginning, too - playing by ear, tempos, increasing repertoire, improv and embellishments, etc. I have a notebook where I collect articles about how to approach particular technical difficulties - big jumps, memory, speed, gigs, et al. I've copied threads from PW there I don't use it as often, but sometimes it's been quite helpful. Cathy
Cathy Perhaps "more music" is always the answer, no matter what the question might be! - Qwerty53
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Perhaps you could write down the numbers of the most difficult measures in each piece that you are practicing to help you focus on what need the most work.
Estonia L190 #7004 Casio CDP S350
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Very good thing to do. I tend not to write it (went through college without notebooks) but rather I set goals for each practice session. Pretty hard to maintain the discipline though. Sometimes you don't want to do something because it's not fun. But it works.
I think people who do this kind of deep planning progress very quickly.
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