How do your objectives as a performer inform and shape your practice technique? (Part 3)

by Edyta Lajdorfin Articleson Posted on

How do your objectives as a performer inform and shape your practice technique? (Part 3)

Practice Plan

As well as using my practice time wisely, I also like to put together a rough plan of exactly what I’ll be practising in the time I have to prepare for the concert. Of course there is a different amount of time and preparation needed between learning a new piece and performing a piece I am already very familiar with but the concept is the same: to ensure that I am using the time available to approach my practice in the best way possible.

For example if I have 8 weeks to prepare a piece from scratch, I will use the first 2 weeks to get to know it and try different artistic interpretations. I will then use the next 4 weeks to learn it off by heart and polish any technical problems. The final phase is to address any issues so the piece is ready to be performed and then to be able to run through my performance. The last phase is purely about being ready to perform.

Summary

In order to achieve my objective of overcoming my fear of memory lapses during performances and suffering from a lack of confidence in my abilities I have a clear and focused approached to my practice with allows me to achieve this target.

For my memory lapses I use a series of intricate practice methods and techniques which test my memory and allow me to learn the piece inside and out.

For my lack of confidence in my abilities I put together a practicing plan that allows me to adequately  prepare for a performance in plenty of time. This includes practising in ‘the stress condition’ which teaches me how to shut down the analytical part of the brain in order to trust my skills and enjoy the performance.

Bibliography

  1. Chaffin, Practising Perfection. Memory and Piano Performance (Mahwah 2002)

  2. Gordon, Mastering the art of performance (Oxford 2006)

  3. Garczynski, Jak zapamietac (Warsaw 1976)

  4. Martens, Violin Mastery Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers (New York 2012)

  5. Peters, The Chimp Paradox (Random House 2012)

This article was written by Edyta Lajdorf BMus (Hons) RCM, MMus, LRSM (Teaching), SMISM. Have you been looking on the internet for piano lessons London? I offer piano lessons for children from the age of five and adults.