I have been learning piano for the last 4 years with a piano app, so have booked lessons with a teacher as I feel I have reached a plateau, but look at all your videos, you are an amazing lady with such good advice! 💕
I loved this very inspirational and important lesson. I am just like that person that wrote that letter but I don’t feel yet that I have reached that plateau point. I think the piano (like many other skills) is something most people can learn if they put in enough time into it. Some days I feel like I didn’t make any progress but I can see progress week to week, month to month. Thank you for this video. In today’s world of instant gratification, piano reminds me that all things worthwhile are only achieved with hard work and persistence.
I relate to this. Lately been having too many plateaus due to work related stress as well as trying to learn an advanced piece that was going nowhere. So started to de-stress myself, parked the advanced piece and are now learning an easier composition. Thank you Leah.
Finally, I've found someone who explained to me in such detail and with so much clarity to let me know what I've been doing wrong all this time! This is such a thorough, eye-opening video! Thank YOU so much!
Thank you for making a video from the email question I sent. Sometimes it just feels like information overload. Back at practicing again after a rare two day break. Thank you again for all the great videos. Cheers
This is exactly where I am. I sat my Grade 5 exam in Jan and passed well but I have got stuck with the two grade 6 pieces I’m working on - not improved in weeks and getting demoralised. I used to feel I improved weekly. Listening to this there maybe an improvement that I can’t hear it. Also I may have to accept the dopamine hits are further apart now! I will keep going. Thank you as always.
This is me, I’ve been playing stuff too hard for myself and just moving on when played through without being able to play it completely without mistakes.
I have experienced many plateaus in playing organ music. I’d like to add another point: have a practice and conviction that learning to play an instrument is a long-term commitment. I’m now 68 years old and I still have plateaus and breakthroughs. This last year I gained a sense of breath and articulation to express a grand feeling of an expansive pipe organ “sound.” Finding music at my advanced learning is a challenge, but I try to make it happen. I look through books I have had for quite awhile and find fresh material I overlooked because it was too hard years ago and now “speaks” to me. To become and grow as a musician, we need to build a happy and satisfying confidence in learning music-for the long haul. I hope your path is and will be a beautiful one. Thank you!
I have been struggling to play the simplest beginner pieces. Finally, my teacher said, 'you must know this by now, don't look at the music'. So I didn't look and played it almost perfectly. The lesson is get a teacher, when I rely on my memory and fail to properly read the music it will be picked up.
This is exactly the reason I happened to find you on TH-cam a while ago - looking for a way to get past struggling to the point I was totally losing interest. Your videos are so down to earth and readily understood; it is obvious you really care about people wanting to learn music. The result of watching those videos and recently joining in your impressive workshops have given me a fresh perspective and triggered the drive needed to make it happen. Many thanks.
God, you're understanding. This has made me just come back home to piano. Every pianist/musician needs to see this. Why aren't you@ 20mn subs? Your background music is soothing. Thank you.
Yes. I'm a year studying piano. alternative method. Often the piece I have to study with teacher is too stressful. So when I've done with standard job I give myself something rewarding and that's better.
Resonates with me, I am in the same position , year 3 at 2 hours a day seem to just hover at ABRSM 3 for half a year now What is a benchmark for deeming a piece being hard, e.g. if we take Burgmuller op100 pieces, how many hours should one expect on average to spend on each one?
Good question, Johnny, and difficult to answer because what’s considered hard varies quite a bit from person to person and depends a lot on experience to date. The Burgmueller pieces you mention range from about a grade 3 to grade 5. If you feel stuck on grade 3, it might be time to have a look at how you’re practicing and maybe change up the techniques you’re using. I have a video on good techniques to use and also one on using a metronome for practice; you might find them useful. This article might also help: blitzbooks.com/much-practice-enough-part-1/ Good luck! 😊
She practises a lot, perhaps too much? Taking frequent breaks is a strategy that I have heard highly recommended. 25 minutes work, 5 minutes off. Or maybe take a month off and forget about it and let the subconscious absorb the information for a while. The brain is a magical mysterious organ!
I totally agree with you. Breaks are a necessity. They have been playing a fundamental (and powerful) role in technical inventions and in all types of art. In the case of piano learning, our *brain and muscles* require some rest.
I have been learning piano for the last 4 years with a piano app, so have booked lessons with a teacher as I feel I have reached a plateau, but look at all your videos, you are an amazing lady with such good advice! 💕
Thanks Susan, good luck with your lessons! 🥰
Wow, I really like your empowering style of coaching. Thank you so much!
I loved this very inspirational and important lesson. I am just like that person that wrote that letter but I don’t feel yet that I have reached that plateau point. I think the piano (like many other skills) is something most people can learn if they put in enough time into it. Some days I feel like I didn’t make any progress but I can see progress week to week, month to month. Thank you for this video. In today’s world of instant gratification, piano reminds me that all things worthwhile are only achieved with hard work and persistence.
I relate to this. Lately been having too many plateaus due to work related stress as well as trying to learn an advanced piece that was going nowhere. So started to de-stress myself, parked the advanced piece and are now learning an easier composition. Thank you Leah.
Finally, I've found someone who explained to me in such detail and with so much clarity to let me know what I've been doing wrong all this time! This is such a thorough, eye-opening video! Thank YOU so much!
You're so welcome!
Thank you for making a video from the email question I sent. Sometimes it just feels like information overload. Back at practicing again after a rare two day break. Thank you again for all the great videos. Cheers
You're welcome, Brian, thank you for outlining the problem so clearly, I think a lot of people relate!
This is exactly where I am. I sat my Grade 5 exam in Jan and passed well but I have got stuck with the two grade 6 pieces I’m working on - not improved in weeks and getting demoralised. I used to feel I improved weekly. Listening to this there maybe an improvement that I can’t hear it. Also I may have to accept the dopamine hits are further apart now! I will keep going. Thank you as always.
Excellent positive advice
This is me, I’ve been playing stuff too hard for myself and just moving on when played through without being able to play it completely without mistakes.
I have experienced many plateaus in playing organ music. I’d like to add another point: have a practice and conviction that learning to play an instrument is a long-term commitment. I’m now 68 years old and I still have plateaus and breakthroughs. This last year I gained a sense of breath and articulation to express a grand feeling of an expansive pipe organ “sound.” Finding music at my advanced learning is a challenge, but I try to make it happen. I look through books I have had for quite awhile and find fresh material I overlooked because it was too hard years ago and now “speaks” to me. To become and grow as a musician, we need to build a happy and satisfying confidence in learning music-for the long haul. I hope your path is and will be a beautiful one. Thank you!
Thanks Dr. Dave, what great advice! 🥰
a great teacher, thank you for all the advice...😀
Thank you for this helpful advice!
I've made some progress at the keys then went to no practice , and now back to it ,but your talks I've saved are proper encouragement.
THX
I have been struggling to play the simplest beginner pieces. Finally, my teacher said, 'you must know this by now, don't look at the music'. So I didn't look and played it almost perfectly. The lesson is get a teacher, when I rely on my memory and fail to properly read the music it will be picked up.
Thank you for a very common sense, helpful video once again. Your advice is invaluable and gives great encouragement.
Your videos are very, very useful and inspiring. Thank you!
This is soooo me! 100%. Thank you. I sure needed this today! 🎹🎼
Thank you, just in time for me
I really value your videos. Thank you for all the work you have done to be able put these videos out.
This is exactly the reason I happened to find you on TH-cam a while ago - looking for a way to get past struggling to the point I was totally losing interest. Your videos are so down to earth and readily understood; it is obvious you really care about people wanting to learn music. The result of watching those videos and recently joining in your impressive workshops have given me a fresh perspective and triggered the drive needed to make it happen. Many thanks.
Thanks Jackie! 😊
What a fantastic theme! Thankyou so much. I much appreciate your channel. London
Thank you
Brilliant!
Thanks a lot.
Thanks.
You are a very wise lady!
Thanks Dan, always a work in progress! 😊
Thank you, I needed to hear this. Great inspirational video.
Thanks again for this great video… I enjoy learning with your insights!!!
God, you're understanding. This has made me just come back home to piano. Every pianist/musician needs to see this. Why aren't you@ 20mn subs? Your background music is soothing. Thank you.
That's great to hear, Betty, just keep on keeping on! 😊
I needed this today. Thanks.
Yes. I'm a year studying piano. alternative method. Often the piece I have to study with teacher is too stressful. So when I've done with standard job I give myself something rewarding and that's better.
Good idea! 😊
I always come away from listening to you speak,with some thing gained. Thank you for that.
Thanks Katie! 🥰
It’s hard not rush the process but it takes time.
Resonates with me, I am in the same position , year 3 at 2 hours a day seem to just hover at ABRSM 3 for half a year now
What is a benchmark for deeming a piece being hard, e.g. if we take Burgmuller op100 pieces, how many hours should one expect on average to spend on each one?
Good question, Johnny, and difficult to answer because what’s considered hard varies quite a bit from person to person and depends a lot on experience to date. The Burgmueller pieces you mention range from about a grade 3 to grade 5. If you feel stuck on grade 3, it might be time to have a look at how you’re practicing and maybe change up the techniques you’re using. I have a video on good techniques to use and also one on using a metronome for practice; you might find them useful. This article might also help: blitzbooks.com/much-practice-enough-part-1/ Good luck! 😊
She practises a lot, perhaps too much? Taking frequent breaks is a strategy that I have heard highly recommended. 25 minutes work, 5 minutes off. Or maybe take a month off and forget about it and let the subconscious absorb the information for a while. The brain is a magical mysterious organ!
I totally agree with you. Breaks are a necessity. They have been playing a fundamental (and powerful) role in technical inventions and in all types of art. In the case of piano learning, our *brain and muscles* require some rest.