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Dominic Cheli said:
In fact, I usually DON'T practice my piece until I have done a cursory overview of it first, away from the piano, marking in all the obvious harmonies, fingerings, and more. That way when I get to the piano I can dive in with a head start! I practice music that already as that "preliminary work" done.
This is neat! I try and do the same in composition land - won't write a note until I've made a gameplan, listened to references, etc. -
Great topic! I have to balance a lot of things myself, and I'm not always succeeding (read: usually not) in getting everything done.
Some of my commitments this fall:
1. Pianostudents
2. Musical class (We are setting up Annie jr, and I need to learn the piano part, and study with singers and band)
3. Band-students. Need to be prepared on all typical band-instruments. (Not too advanced)
4. Gigs and concerts. (Playing with bands, choirs, solo piano, students recitals etc. )
5. Create a course on Garageband.
6. Create a seminar on Jazz-piano.
7. Composing my own music.
9. Taking lessons with Jarred Dunn!
8. Posting on Tonebase!
9. Swimming/Yoga/Running/Chi-Gong/Work-out
10. Friends and family
I try to plan out and think about what I need to work on THE MOST, and get that done early.
I also listen to playlists, especially when playing with bands I want to spend as little time as possible with self-practice, but just be prepared enough to when we are working together.
I see that my own music get the least priority, because when I'm done with everything else I'm usually to tired to work on it. So I need to plan this one out better to finish the project.
I love visualizing before concerts but need to focus without distractions, so that is also mentally demanding for me.
I like going into a meditative state with a piece, and planning out my way threw it this way. Especially before performance.
I could spend more time with the score before hand, and maybe save some time in front of the piano.
I have a lot of potential for improvement with planning, so I recently started with a diary. I've tried it before and usually drop out after some time, but I give it another go.
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Great suggestions Dominic. I look at my schedule for each day, and immediately write in the exact time I choose to practice piano and violin. It's an appointment I keep with myself. Generally piano mornings 9am before other commitments, and violin late afternoon after other work. It is ok to vary it as needed, but the time is pre-listed on my appointment calendar like everything else. This works very well for me.