Hadley McCarroll, pianist
Discover Your Best Practicing!
In the words of my wonderful college pedagogy teacher
renowned pedagogue/pianist Sophia Gilmson:
Good technique starts with the posture and shoulders, not with the fingers.
​
Beautiful sound starts before we touch the keys.
The sound is prepared in our inner hearing, our imagination, and intention to produce a certain tone.
Only if first prepared, it might happen. Or not.
A convincing interpretation is rooted in a sense of flow.
Sense of flow is rooted in having the direction.
Where does this phrase go? Where does it peak?
Where does a group of phrases peak? Where does the entire section peak?
Where does the whole piece peak?
​
Very much like in hiking, the direction is a must.
Otherwise, it does not flow, it is wandering.
A routine is essential for progress! Work with your family to find the best days to get your practicing in. Use a calendar to write in the actual days/times you will practice.
Organize your practice into sections. Use a timer or clock to keep track of the time.
Follow the instructions I've given you in your practice notebook.
Quality over quantity! If you have a couple of days where you are super busy, plan on a few practice snacks for those days. Even 10 minutes will make a big difference! A snack could be a very short passage you've been trying to get into your fingers, or a wrong note you're trying to get rid of. Perhaps a tricky rhythm you've consistently miscounted?
​
Technique issue? Try working on the scales and chords in the keys of your piece to polish your technique.
​
Rhythmic issue? try using the metronome. Subdivide!
​
Try the +one or starting from the end of the piece working backwards.
​
Memorization trouble? Work in small sections, with actionable goals in mind!
Start early – don't wait until the last minute.