December 23

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Thinking Before Playing

It's become way too easy to play without thinking. It happens all the time. 

We have a tricky section of a piece of music. Or we're learning a new piece from the beginning. And the practice session goes something like...

play-crash-play-crash-play-crash

And each time we play, we hope that we'll get it right this time. We play without thinking. In fact, students often begin to play before I even finish giving the instructions.

But that's just it. Why are we relying on hope when we play? Why is it so easy to play blind and hope luck sets in...rather than be intentional? 

Try this next time you're practicing something tricky.

Think before you play.

If you repeat something, what will be different this time?

Can you change how you perceive the problem? Can you change your mindset around the problem? Can you change what happens in your mind as you approach the problem?

Can you define what the problem is to begin with?

Think ten times, play once. You'll be amazed how much faster your progress becomes.

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For parents, students, and anyone else who believes that music can and should be a meaningful part of everyone's life.

About Jonathan Roberts

I am the founder and director of the South Shore Piano School, and I have been teaching the piano for nearly 20 years. My work centers around bringing music to the lives of kids, parents, and adults in an enriching, meaningful way. At the South Shore Piano School, my incredible colleagues and I accomplish this through skill-based teaching, community, and an innovative, people-first business model. You can read more about me here.


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