I don’t necessarily believe in going through mindless repetitions when practicing music (see my last blog, Stop Practicing, Start Playing!), but sometimes I just cannot execute a certain passage successfully. The thought of practicing the passage “five times a day, every day” turns me off from playing my instrument, to be completely honest. But if I make the trouble spot small enough (sometimes it just comes down to two notes, or a measure plus the next beat), and I keep the number of repetitions to a minimum, then I can bear the thought. This type of practicing becomes useful and efficient. I don’t just practice hard, but I practice smart.
I play the “pen game” with my students during the lesson when they cannot figure out (or did not practice) a certain spot. The objective is to play the passage three times in a row perfectly. When they play it once correctly, they take one of three pens from one side of the piano and move it to the other side. Subsequently, each time they play the passage correctly, they move another pen over. If they make a mistake, then they return the pens and start over again. This game takes a lot of mental and physical concentration, especially when it’s time for the third try and the pressure is on. (They can also put pennies or jelly beans in a jar to mix things up at home!)
This exercise may sound cruel to some (I personally wince a bit when I hear “play the passage three times in a row perfectly”),
It may be tough to encourage smart practicing for ourselves as well as (and even more so) for young kids. I find that the essence behind the “pen game” strikes the perfect balance between reinforcing a tough passage effectively while keeping the practicing session fresh and exciting. Students generally enjoy playing the game with me during lessons, so try doing the same with them at home. (Also, please let me know if pennies or jelly beans makes things more interesting!)
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Richard Woo teaches Piano at award-winning Hunterdon Academy of the Arts in Flemington, NJ