Have you ever practiced your instrument for long hours and felt frustrated that you were not progressing well?
In previous posts, I have discussed some of the best ways to practice and learn pieces on a musical instrument. I want to return to this subject and focus on one helpful form of practice: practicing a piece gently and softly.
When struggling with specific pieces, suppose you are learning a selection of new music or returning to your instrument after a long break; one sure way to get a good start is to practice softly. That is, play everything using piano dynamics. Therefore, do not force anything; play as quietly as you can.
When you return to your practice after a long period of not playing, your mind wants to immediately acquire the same sound quality as you had before. Unfortunately, the muscles will not be ready as they have taken a long break. Therefore, you should do your utmost to ease into playing; the best way is to play piano. Don't try to sound like before. Again, be patient and play softly.
This method assists us in listening to ourselves more attentively and correcting errors that we would not otherwise be able to hear.
Let's look deeper into what happens when the performer practices piano instead of the actual tempo marking.
When the player plays softly, the muscles relax, and the hearing improves. Consequently, one can work on particular issues like tempo, rhythm, and intonation, which otherwise would have been difficult, especially for string players. In this state, it is easier to engage all the senses, and the hearing becomes keener on how the music sounds. The notes could be more familiar, and the ideas clarified.
On one occasion, I had to perform a piece that required me to play the part of another instrument on the cello. The part needed to be modified for the cello. There were some challenges as I had to adjust the music for my instrument. This technique worked quite well, as I played the entire piece softly. During and after my practice, I noticed a big difference.
Playing loud is also not helpful when learning a new piece, as one may need to focus on different aspects of the music at a time. It is best to play piano and focus on different issues each time. Therefore, this practice allows players to focus on one thing at a time. For example, on the first try, one can listen for the intonation; on the second try, one can work on the rhythm by playing the piece with the metronome. The third time, the musician can adjust and pay attention to their posture. This way, one can notice, find out more, and connect better.
Playing softly also aids in making personal corrections such as posture and positioning. Those become easier to manage and much more accessible.
Teachers can also use this tool when rehearsing with students. This practice will allow students to play together and listen. An ensemble can have balance issues while playing loudly; therefore, reducing the volume and seeing if everyone is playing together is best. That is an essential aspect of ensemble playing and checking for intonation.
Recently, I attended some concerts where I felt that using this technique would have aided in creating balance within the group. One instrument sounded louder than the rest, and I had difficulty hearing the rest.
When rehearsals become complicated, one can not hear what is happening. Hearing other players well, playing softly and listening carefully would be the way to work out these issues. It is best to play the pieces piano and begin listening and paying attention to all aspects of music-making while focusing on one thing at a time.
Therefore, when you encounter problems, play softly and sharpen your hearing to see how you can make the appropriate corrections.
How do you correct your problem spots while you are practicing? Do you use other techniques? Please share below.
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