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Joined: Apr 2012
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OP
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I've come to realize, in order to really be a good pianist, you have to be obsessed and committed to your playing more than anything else. There will always be a party to go to, a more "fun" activity, friends looking for something to do when you should be practicing. It seems like the real trick is learning to value your time practicing and working on music over these common distractions. I know for me that's the case.
I've given myself a big workload over my Christmas break. I'm going to be learning a lot of music, and my goal is to learn it better than any previous music I've learned. I was thinking about it today, and came to realize that the only way to succeed is to be obsessed and consumed with it to the point that when a distraction comes my way, I'm ready to say no if the days work isn't finished.
Thoughts?
Piano/Composition major.
Proud owner of a beautiful Yamaha C7.
Polish: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104 Bach WTC book 1 no. 6. Dello Joio Sonata no. 3
New: Chopin op. 23 Bach WTC book 2 no. 20
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Joined: Aug 2008
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What's more fun than playing the piano?
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Joined: Sep 2009
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What's more fun than playing the piano? Playing a Steinway Piano
Last edited by Batuhan; 12/13/12 10:10 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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I think, what you truly need, is a deeply ingrained love for the piano, so that when "distractions" come your way, it is in your natural disposition to want to sit at the keys first. In this way, the "distractions" really aren't distractions for you, because you would rather be sitting at the piano. However, I would say this applies to any endeavor-- to become truly great, you must not only be willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve it, you must also desire it.
Every day we are afforded a new chance. The problem with life is not that you run out of chances. In the end, what you run out of are days.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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It helps a lot if you can surround yourself with like minded people.
While it's great to lock yourself away and practice, it's also good not to let yourself forget how to be social. Locking yourself away will make you a better pianist. However, having good social skills will get you work! Both are important.
FWIW, I know a bass player who practiced all morning and afternoon, every single day, and gigged and/or went to shows to network, every single night, almost without fail. She got to be pretty well known and gets tons of work now, but this never would have happened if she never left the practice room.
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Turemusic: I think that what you say applies to any career related profession... Any non 9-5 job will need to have a does of obsession. And this is a reason why most career driven people (especially those who actually have a great career) are also having serious trouble in maintaining a family: Both the career and family are too demanding for a single person. As for overdoing it over Christmas, I'd say that keep it to a minimum but consider this: The Christmas period is not enough to make you a brilliant pianist, so it would be much better to find a schedule that fits your life throughout the weeks and months to come, rather than overdoing it for a couple of weeks and then not so much... As for being social, etc I fully agree! More than 100%! But keep in mind that you will also need to build confidence in your skills before you can be social about them!
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 254
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OP
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Posts: 254 |
FWIW, I know a bass player who practiced all morning and afternoon, every single day, and gigged and/or went to shows to network, every single night, almost without fail. She got to be pretty well known and gets tons of work now, but this never would have happened if she never left the practice room.
Good little story! I don't have much of a problem being social though, I need to be more disciplined with my practicing! For me, being social is fairly easy and natural. So what my OP was intending more was that, at least for me, I need to learn to be willing to say no to social things if my piano work for the day isn't done yet. Turemusic: As for overdoing it over Christmas, I'd say that keep it to a minimum but consider this: The Christmas period is not enough to make you a brilliant pianist, so it would be much better to find a schedule that fits your life throughout the weeks and months to come, rather than overdoing it for a couple of weeks and then not so much...
Well, I do have a fairly good practice routine right now that does work for me quite well during the school semester. But over break I have tons of extra time and am finding ways to use it! I already have my routine figured out for the school year though. It's just as a student my schedule changes all the time! Can't keep anything consistent...ha.
Last edited by TrueMusic; 12/14/12 02:41 PM.
Piano/Composition major.
Proud owner of a beautiful Yamaha C7.
Polish: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104 Bach WTC book 1 no. 6. Dello Joio Sonata no. 3
New: Chopin op. 23 Bach WTC book 2 no. 20
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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