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Practice

Do what’s right

cathshum

In a world where most companies try to make things convenient and quick for us, striving for excellence and quality has become less appreciated.

Same goes for playing music, we tend to just get across the notes and move on without giving much reflection of the musical meaning. But in order for music to be represented beautifully, we must be very thoughtful. “Which fingering should I use? What tone am I trying to create? How should the parts be balanced?” etc. It would be easy to play in whatever way that is “convenient” to our hands, but playing music means so much more than just playing the notes.

I challenge you to “do what is right, not what is easy and convenient”!

About me

RCM Certified Piano and Theory Teacher in Aurora

cathshum

Learn how to play piano from a qualified and experienced teacher!

Catherine Shum is a certified RCM Piano and Theory teacher with an associate Piano Performance diploma (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She started teaching piano and theory since 2004, and currently teaches at her home studio in Aurora, Ontario.

Curriculum and teaching style is tailored to each student’s strength and needs. Book your free assessment today!

Practice

“Now go practice!” (okay…but how?)

cathshum

Learning a musical instrument is one of the best and most rewarding decision you could make. To master a craft, you must practice regularly and thoughtfully.

Coming to a lesson is like going to a fine restaurant– you get offered nutritious and delicious food (music concept, technique, etc). But the difference is, you must take it home to consume it. Your teacher will help you get a taste of it, but it is up to you to put it in your mouth, chew, swallow, absorb it, and make it a part of you.

Here are some general steps to help you get started. Depending on the repertoire and the stage of learning, different strategies might have to be employed.

  1. Find the same time and day to practice so it fits into your routine
  2. Start with a specific and realistic goal (for example: I want to learn the notes to the piece hands separately/ I want to review the notes hands separately then combine hands together)
  3. You don’t necessarily have to start at the beginning (unless if you are learning a new piece)
  4. Practice in small sections (for example, 4 bars at a time). Aim to play it with correctly 5 times. Be sure to count out loud or keep counting in your head
  5. If you keep making mistake at a certain spot, don’t practice from the beginning. Work on the specific bar and try to figure out what’s wrong (fingering/ angle of your hand/ wrong note etc)

Do you have a question about how to practice a specific piece? Email me!