About Practice

Piano Practice:

This is best when students work on a daily schedule. An hour a day is about right for school age. Students at the Junior High School Age - High School Years will need to increase practice to two or more hours if they are planning to enter competitions or prepare for college auditions. 

Tools Needed:

A real acoustic piano is strongly encouraged or required. (Electric keyboards are just not adequate for long term study). Students must gain the ability to control the movement of a real piano action. Their is a nuance of operating a weighted piano hammer that must be felt in order to learn to play well.  

The Voice:

Mr. Seifert requires all students to learn to use their voice which trains the ear. Singing develops inner hearing, and what is known as Audiation. Music cannot be properly phrased by someone who cannot sing.

Counting:

The "M" in music stands for Math. A great quote by my composer friend Bruce Yurko. 

The Greeks told us that Music is a science. It operates by a wave that travels upon a steady beat which has naturally strong and weak elements, these fluctuations are known as the Agogics. Rhythm is then constructed mathematically and layered upon the active wave. Students need to gain an understanding of the Agogics of  beat, and that is achieved by learning how to properly count.

Beethoven said that to be a musician "One must have the discipline of a Soldier" That is a fun quote indeed.

A more modern understanding of piano study can be found by watching the 1980's classic movie The Karate Kid where Mr. Miyagi the great teacher played by the late Pat Morita leads the young "Daniel San" to become a master through hours of practice. In short, it is all about GRIT.

Parents need to be supportive and safeguard the daily piano practice schedule.