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This will reduce the information you are tackling at one time. This can be particularly overwhelming for the beginning pianist, there are so many keys and so many different things for your hands to be doing! Instead of trying to master everything at once, break down your piece into small chunks, or even by hand. Why? Piano playing involves understanding and executing many different pieces of information at the same time. What is the character of the piece you are learning? Is it calm? Playful? Dramatic? Melancholic? Does this piece grow louder? Softer? Is the texture thin or dense? When you have a clear idea of what the kinds of sounds the piece should have, visualize yourself playing it as you read through the score. Did you prefer one to the other? Can you tell the difference between the performances? Through the listening process, you can develop your taste - you can find your favorite pianists, composers, and ensembles. You can also compare the same piece performed by different performers. Don’t just listen to solo piano pieces, but also listen to pieces for other instruments, orchestra, and some opera! Listening to music performed by the best performer(s) will help you to develop a good ear, motivate you to become a better player, and inspire you to be creative at your interpretive choices. This will allow you to get a better understanding of the style, touch, and character of the piece you are learning.
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Studying away from the piano, or mental practice, will help you keep a clear goal in mind when you practice and you will more likely avoid establishing bad habits. Why? Learning a piece of music away from the piano can drastically improve the efficiency of your practice sessions.
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