Tuesday, July 9, 2013
I Always Play Better at Home!
A common complaint from students, we hear it all the time. My reply, "yes, but I wasnt there listening to you." What causes this and what can you do about it? The obvious cause is that when you practice at home no ones really listening, and if they are its not from a critics viewpoint. More than likely youre more relaxed, sitting and practicing in an area youre comfortable with, and feeling more confident. When you get to your lesson, the pressures on whether real or imagined. Try as I might, its very difficult to put a student at ease enough to play as well as they do at home.
It happens to the best of us!
When I went back to college, I had to take class piano. In addition to playing an electronic keyboard through headphones, wed have to play a real piano, one on one with the teacher listening. In 2 years I can honestly say I NEVER PLAYED AS WELL AS I WAS CAPABLE OF. It was totally frustrating, especially considering that I could play my guitar in front of hundreds of people and not be the least bit nervous.
Whats the answer?
Its simply a matter of confidence. In the back of my mind I knew I wasnt as good at the piano as I could be and probably, ok, certainly, didnt practice as much as I should have. Id work on the songs but the finger exercises got a quick once over a couple days before I had to play for her. So, if you want to play well for your teacher or at the next open mic or recital, practice a lot, work on trouble spots and think positive. Henry Ford once said "whether you think you can do a thing or think you cant do a thing, youre right.
