Practice Techniques

» Posture
Wrists above keys, fingers curved downward.

This creates a pressure point in one direction-downward.
If your wrists are below the keys, it forces your fingers to arch up above the keys and pressure downward. Hence, more steps involved, less flexibility and less strength applied.
Sit in the center of the piano (infront of middle C) with feet flat on the floor. Your knees should be the starting point of the keys (not tucked in all the way).

Being centered at the paino allows you to reach all the keys without needing to re-adjust during a performance
Technical Requirements
Technical Requirements build solid performance capabilities. Scales, chords, arpeggios etc. are often present in musical pieces. Understanding what you are performing is an important factor of becoming a round-about performer or musician.

» Scales
Scales allow you to apply key signatures and many other musical theory aspects.

Say your thoughts out loud as you are practicing. For example, say the finger numbers that you are playing. A metronom is an important tool that can be used to measure your beat accuracy.

» Triads
Triads are three-note chords that are built from a scale. Triads are the tonic, mediant and dominant notes that form a harmonized chord. The initial starting point of the triad is called the "root".

Triads are performed in both solid and broken formats. When practicing solid triads, it is important to have all three types of keys pressed down at the same time. Lift off of the keys with a slight roll/wave of the wrists to enhance your presentation skills. Broken triads need to be played evenly in both beat and volume. Clear notes are also important as these need to sound smooth, but not dragged.

» Arpeggios
Arpeggios are harp-like sounds, when played in the upper octaves of a keyboard. Here, you will hear all of the tonic triad letters played in a stretch over a number of octaves. Watch the curving point of an arpeggio. When curving the fingers above or below, ensure that your wrists or elbows stay at a good height. Use proper posture to avoid the "hump" effect.

» Dominant 7th & Diminished 7th Chords
These are four-note chords that start on different degrees of a scale. They are both strong sounding chords.

Proper observation of finger patterns create consistant and solid performances. Use your finger tips to ensure notes are clear and strong.

» Studies
Studies are short songs which use finger exercies to build strength and consistancy. Hanons are popular forms of studies because they allow you to apply many artistic and technical options.

Studies need to be, well, studied! They are pieces that you warm-up to on a regular basis.

» Songs
Songs are performed in a way that bring music to life. Every performance differs slightly. When studying a song, think about the techniquess that can be applied. Are there any scales or triads? Are there are any key changes? How about finger patterns? Songs bring together the technical and artistic components of music.

» Ear Training
The need for ear training has been on the rise to meet society's demands. Although there are many types of learning techniques (audio, visual, etc.), there is a high demand for a musical ear.

» Melody Playbacks
It is vital that a musician builds their ability to perform what they envision or hear. Regular practice of this will build capabilities and confidence.

There are many techniques that you can use to practice Melody Playbacks. Some of these include Examination Requirements books (which come with a CD), teacher coaching, memorizing parts of songs, etc.

» Clap Backs
Clap backs allow students to focus on rythme. This is a key component as performers must be able to play in demanding time constraints.

Try to use different sound effects to learn the rythme. For example-tap on a table, shake maraccas, hum the melody with your mouth.

» Intervals
Interval means the distance between the two notes. Intervals can be transposed into other keys, as long as you can figure out the required key signature.