Don't forget to check out my new book, How To Be A Better Musician - www.bettermusicianbook.com - it's packed with science-backed advice, guidance, ideas and exercises (more than 40 of them!) to revolutionize your music making and speed up your progress!
This was really helpful. I have felt that same circling around without a clear path with not only piano but other things in my life. I have learned from a few other UA-camr piano channels your lesson to "attack the problem" and to slow down. But I still find it hard to restrain myself and practice in that manner even though I know it's a superior method. It is maddening! And just thinking of the hours of repeating songs the whole way through fills me with regret lol. Edit: I meant to write this comment in response to a different video. I must have accidentally clicked on this one before writing it.
That’s all right - I presume you mean the “Click of Doom” tutorial. The comment is still very relevant here, though! You’re absolutely not alone in finding “attack the problem” hard: I still find I really have to discipline myself to do it, because it’s so tempting to go with the flow (and I mean “the flow” there both in the colloquial sense and the sense in which psychologists use it) and happily play in my comfort zone - even when I know improvement happens when I make things (manageable) difficult for myself. Anyhow, glad you like the video, and please do feel free to comment wherever and whenever you like - I and other users of the channel always value insightful accounts of other learners’ experiences!
Love your content. I've been a bassist for years but I've never really gotten good at it. I'd probably struggle in a simple cover band, lol. What keeps me going is an all around fascination with music in general. I recently got a keyboard because I felt it would really help broaden my musical understanding. There's still a lot I don't know, but your channel is one my favorites for learning and keeping myself motivated. Thanks so much for what you're doing.
What a great video! I love that you are adding in a pedagogical element to learning piano with a book like this. I just found your channel a day or two ago, and have now subscribed, and I just bought the book. Really looking forward to reading through it and making some changes to how I approach learning to practice/play ... thank you, Bill, for the education you provide.
It's reassuring actually to be told you can play the same bit 20 or 40 times even if (specially if) it's right. Because I'm inclined to, but otherwise I might think I was being somewhat obsessive (and with the vexation of my long-ago family ringing in my ears). What happens if one plays it right a few times but it is still a struggle and we make a mistake? Back to the drawing board to pick it apart? PS I have read the book thoroughly and it is exceedingly excellent! ;)
Good question, and I think the answer is probably... it depends. What I tend to do with bits and pieces I struggle with is keep them simmering for a long time. So, e.g., at the moment I'm working on a stride improv on Gershwin's A Foggy Day. I have constant and persistent problems with splashing the second chord (Ebm7; key is F major). The approach I'm using is not to stress about it, but continue to practise it pretty regularly in isolation. I also think there are some problems that only get sorted out as we improve generally as musicians - a rising tide lifts all boats, if you will - so a general, consistent, permanent push for improvement probably helps problems like that, too.
Thank you! When I first got the piano back in 2011 I actually couldn't decide on a name, so I conducted a straw poll of my mates in the pub, and the two top suggestions were "Dave" and "Megatron". I couldn't decide between them, so to this day he's Dave Megatron.
Well, got the book. Fab. Just a quick first remark; you say great music has been made without quite such an analytic approach to practicing... As you observe, many of us are self-learning and a thing people can miss is *socialisation of knowledge* - sharing of tips and tricks with teachers and band mates. This book fills that gap for us... And without breaking up the flow of the UA-cam material (and, yes, there are great but unusable UA-camrs material which is undermined with finger-wagging practice tips) Thanks and I wish you good sales.
Thanks very much indeed for buying it Lionel! I hope that you feel the non-finger-wagging tone continues throughout the book (I've tried to suppress it as much as possible, tempting though it is sometimes to say "do this, DON'T do that"). If you get a chance, do let me have some more thoughts as you read further: I'm keen to tweak it to suit the audience's reaction!
Merci beaucoup for this Bill. I've been through a rough patch but things will be changing very soon. I've filmed my video for exercises for the pianist to have a stronger back, as well as techniques to self-treat the shoulders and hands. Great for finger strength. One administrative problem to overcome but I'd like to post it for next week. And I'll look into your book since I find your videos are excellent.
You're welcome, Lawrence - glad to hear things are looking up for you, and let me know when that video is available, because I'll be interested to see it!
Hi, Bill! I have been learning how to play piano with your beginners series and now I am practising Let it be by The Beatles. My husband who plays guitar suggested that I play along backing tracks. I would like to ask, are you planning to record a video about playing piano to backing tracks? ? Is it a good practice? Thanks for your lessons!
Don't forget to check out my new book, How To Be A Better Musician - www.bettermusicianbook.com - it's packed with science-backed advice, guidance, ideas and exercises (more than 40 of them!) to revolutionize your music making and speed up your progress!
This was really helpful. I have felt that same circling around without a clear path with not only piano but other things in my life. I have learned from a few other UA-camr piano channels your lesson to "attack the problem" and to slow down. But I still find it hard to restrain myself and practice in that manner even though I know it's a superior method. It is maddening! And just thinking of the hours of repeating songs the whole way through fills me with regret lol.
Edit: I meant to write this comment in response to a different video. I must have accidentally clicked on this one before writing it.
That’s all right - I presume you mean the “Click of Doom” tutorial. The comment is still very relevant here, though! You’re absolutely not alone in finding “attack the problem” hard: I still find I really have to discipline myself to do it, because it’s so tempting to go with the flow (and I mean “the flow” there both in the colloquial sense and the sense in which psychologists use it) and happily play in my comfort zone - even when I know improvement happens when I make things (manageable) difficult for myself. Anyhow, glad you like the video, and please do feel free to comment wherever and whenever you like - I and other users of the channel always value insightful accounts of other learners’ experiences!
You are so very good and so very right! Thank you for all these tips and drills
Thank you! If you liked these, you might like the exercises in this tutorial I posted a few days ago: ua-cam.com/video/f8kQ2qn7qCk/v-deo.html
Love your content. I've been a bassist for years but I've never really gotten good at it. I'd probably struggle in a simple cover band, lol. What keeps me going is an all around fascination with music in general. I recently got a keyboard because I felt it would really help broaden my musical understanding. There's still a lot I don't know, but your channel is one my favorites for learning and keeping myself motivated. Thanks so much for what you're doing.
You're welcome! You're very much the kind of learner I have in mind for this sort of thing, so I'm glad it's hitting the spot!
What a great video! I love that you are adding in a pedagogical element to learning piano with a book like this. I just found your channel a day or two ago, and have now subscribed, and I just bought the book. Really looking forward to reading through it and making some changes to how I approach learning to practice/play ... thank you, Bill, for the education you provide.
You’re really welcome, Jason - and thanks very much indeed for buying the book! Give me a shout if you have any questions/anything I can help with!
Hi Bill! Is there any chance of getting your book through Amazon? Thanks for your effort in creating such great content!
It's reassuring actually to be told you can play the same bit 20 or 40 times even if (specially if) it's right. Because I'm inclined to, but otherwise I might think I was being somewhat obsessive (and with the vexation of my long-ago family ringing in my ears). What happens if one plays it right a few times but it is still a struggle and we make a mistake? Back to the drawing board to pick it apart?
PS I have read the book thoroughly and it is exceedingly excellent! ;)
Good question, and I think the answer is probably... it depends. What I tend to do with bits and pieces I struggle with is keep them simmering for a long time. So, e.g., at the moment I'm working on a stride improv on Gershwin's A Foggy Day. I have constant and persistent problems with splashing the second chord (Ebm7; key is F major). The approach I'm using is not to stress about it, but continue to practise it pretty regularly in isolation. I also think there are some problems that only get sorted out as we improve generally as musicians - a rising tide lifts all boats, if you will - so a general, consistent, permanent push for improvement probably helps problems like that, too.
Merry Christmas
Bill, your tutorials are the best.
Have you ever considered hosting an audience poll to name your red piano? Piano McPianoface has a nice ring to it.
Thank you! When I first got the piano back in 2011 I actually couldn't decide on a name, so I conducted a straw poll of my mates in the pub, and the two top suggestions were "Dave" and "Megatron". I couldn't decide between them, so to this day he's Dave Megatron.
Good content as always Bill. Glad you got better!!
Thank you! Still spluttering a bit, but I sound more or less human again now!
Well, got the book. Fab. Just a quick first remark; you say great music has been made without quite such an analytic approach to practicing... As you observe, many of us are self-learning and a thing people can miss is *socialisation of knowledge* - sharing of tips and tricks with teachers and band mates. This book fills that gap for us... And without breaking up the flow of the UA-cam material (and, yes, there are great but unusable UA-camrs material which is undermined with finger-wagging practice tips)
Thanks and I wish you good sales.
Thanks very much indeed for buying it Lionel! I hope that you feel the non-finger-wagging tone continues throughout the book (I've tried to suppress it as much as possible, tempting though it is sometimes to say "do this, DON'T do that"). If you get a chance, do let me have some more thoughts as you read further: I'm keen to tweak it to suit the audience's reaction!
Merci beaucoup for this Bill. I've been through a rough patch but things will be changing very soon. I've filmed my video for exercises for the pianist to have a stronger back, as well as techniques to self-treat the shoulders and hands. Great for finger strength. One administrative problem to overcome but I'd like to post it for next week. And I'll look into your book since I find your videos are excellent.
You're welcome, Lawrence - glad to hear things are looking up for you, and let me know when that video is available, because I'll be interested to see it!
Hi, Bill! I have been learning how to play piano with your beginners series and now I am practising Let it be by The Beatles. My husband who plays guitar suggested that I play along backing tracks. I would like to ask, are you planning to record a video about playing piano to backing tracks? ? Is it a good practice? Thanks for your lessons!
What piano nord is that ?? I want one
Mmmmh - chocolate cake!
My feelings also