As I am not preparing for any exams now, the teaching method which Nancy is using now is very different from what she used when I was preparing for my practical exams. Now, I feel very rushed. I need to learn 2 new pieces for each lesson. And frankly, I find it very taxing, even when I have lessons on alternate weeks. I was told, her students are usually given 2 new pieces every week. So, I am already learning at half the required pace.
Due to my family and my work, I only get to really practice on weekends. Practising on weekdays is almost impossible though I do try to make an effort, without sacrificing too much time to spend with my baby and sleep. Also, usually I need quite a lot of practice before I can play a piece smoothly through without any notes error and with the dynamics and articulation needed at the correct tempo. Ok, may not be perfect, but I know I have learnt the techniques needed to play the piece well. But now, I can only merely play through the piece through sight-reading, much slower than the required tempo, pauses here and there. And the dynamics and articulations are not as what I wanted. Before I am ready, the next lesson comes, I need to play to my teacher, she comments here not good enough, there not good enough, replay it during the lesson, then she will pass it. And I need to learn another 2 new pieces for the next lesson. And this continues.
I feel like I am playing some catching games, and ya, I know this method helps in my sight-reading, but I do feel that I did not get the chance to train my playing skills, and appreciate each piece that I am playing. She did comment that I cannot expect to have 1 full month to learn 1 piece, which would be the case if I need to repeat the same piece for another lesson. And she does not expect me to play the piece perfectly. Most of what is needed of the piece is done, then we will move on. But I do really find the pieces that I am playing now is relatively much harder than what I was exposed to previously. Am I the only one feeling this way? Maybe I should also reflect to see if I really did not practice as much as I should.
I am ok when she rushed through theory. I mean, maybe after studying for about 20 years, I can still catch up for theory when she goes very fast. But practical is like, I just need to spend more time to practice and there is no short-cut!
So, sigh, either I tell Nancy that I really need her to slow down, or I really need to find more time to practice without affecting my family time, my work time and my sleep time. Playing the piano is suppose to be a relaxation for me turn out to be so stressful now. Haha, maybe I should ask for a demotion to Grade 3? Haha.
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2 comments:
hi.. i think piano really demand a lot of practice. But understanding that you have family and daughter to take care, I guess you have to decide. Take a balance.
Perhaps your teacher is also stressful because she is not seeing the progress she is expecting of you (since you told her you gonna 'jump' grade) =)
Yup Sadly, you're right, there is no short cut for practical..
I guess, for us it is better if every student can learn new song each week (less boring for you and us teachers, and you progress faster..) , but if you are having difficulty finding time, you can focus on 1 song per lesson, and further break it down to master parts by parts..
Try it.. I think it would be less stressful.
yup as what the term suggest "playing" piano is supposed to be fun, not stressful (although you definitely to concentrate haha)
Playing a song that you like (suggest it to your teacher) would definitely encourage. I usually ask my students whether they dun like the song, if dun like, move on with another song lol
Playing piano especially classical (going for exam) is like tat.. everytime is going to be harder..
maybe you should take a break once in a while and play some pop songs instead.. =)
Hi hy wa,
Thanks so much! Ya, having to balance my family, my baby, my career and piano is really not easy. I guess out of the 4, piano is really the last in my priority list. Not that I love piano the least, but just that I tend to place my personal time the last. Haha, I try to spend as much time as possible with my baby and my family, and yet I cannot stop working because of practicality.
Ya, I need to sort out my time table again. I miss the days when I had the whole weekend to myself only! Ok, and some time with my hubby, who was "busy" with his hobby too! Such that I could spend hours with my piano!
Now I am practising the pieces which I had rushed through (over the last few months) on my own, but really slowly at my own pace, even if that means that I am playing the same piece for 2 months. I enjoy being able to play a piece well, and I will then consider that I have mastered the techniques needed for that piece, and would feel better when I move on to the next.
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