We’ve all done it. The temptation to do piano exercises fast and to sound AMAZING is huge.
Especially when it comes to exercises and drills. But come close… I’m gonna tell you a secret.
You’ve gotta go slow to go fast.
Yup, seems too easy right? Most students react the same way every time I slow them down. It’s almost like I can read thought bubbles over their heads. I’m sure you can too. Just reading this you know EXACTLY what they’re gonna do, cuz you’d probably be doing the same thing. They’ll do it my way during the lesson but I know as soon as I’m out of hearing range, they’re gonna crank up the speed because, it’s not a big deal right? It’s just Lisa being a teacher.
But they would be mistaken.
And so are you. 🙂
It’s very important to understand a little science here, so bear with me a quick minute.
The science
When you’re learning something brand new, your neurons are forming a new pathway. When this happens a protein called myelin is dispatched to basically “pour concrete” around this new pathway to solidify it into a literal highway. Then your neurons can move through these new highways at light-speed and you have gained “mastery” over the new information.
So when you go slowly and steadily, that allows your brain to quickly form that pathway, and the myelination process can happen very quickly. If you go fast and then have to start-stop, start-stop, fumble-fumble, start-again, you’re actually working AGAINST yourself. The pathway is being forged anew with each false fumble-start and the myelin can’t do it’s job.
You’re literally handicapping yourself and making it more difficult.
Dump the handicap
So trust me, start things slowly and steadily. Go as slowly as you need to go to play through your most difficult section accurately.
This will let your brain start to think ahead during the easy portions that feel PAINFULLY slow and you’ll find the entire exercise getting easier. Even those difficult parts. Because your brain can get ahead of the curve.
Build a highway
Every time that I have a student that’s struggling and they keep start-stop, start-stop, fumble-fumble-slow-fast-slow playing, I make them stop and do the whole thing painfully slow. And they find that their transitions, the thing that they’d been struggling with actually gets easier instantly.
And it’s so fun to watch their faces because I almost have to force them to just trust me and do it slowly. But they finally give it a try, and then half way through… they start smiling.
Guess what? I was right and it got easier.
So remember that this is a process and your brain is doing some actual construction work. Go slowly, let your brain pour that “concrete” and create that highway.
Then let your neurons free and fly.
Weekly Challenge 💪🏻
This week’s challenge…use a metronome! Remember your Hanon exercises? Pick one and this week I’m challenging you to use a metronome.
Pick a tempo that makes it possible to play the whole thing without any mistakes. Then stay there.
When you can play it 5x in a row without mistakes, increase your tempo!
You can do it :).
Practice that this week and then watch for Takeaway Tuesday to post your progress.
Drill of the Week! 🎶
This week’s drill is going to be a new Hanon exercise! Feel free to use this one for the Weekly Challenge, let’s see that slow and steady process turn you into Speedy Gonzalez in less than a week!
CLICK HERE to view the demonstration
Be sure to play slowly and steadily in the beginning. Don’t pick up the speed until you can play the whole thing 5x without mistakes!
Practice this exercise 3-5x daily.
RESOURCES
I’m getting ready to open enrollment for a new round of Coaching! If you’re interested in hearing more, check it out!
And don’t forget to join our Worship Community group!
