Questions to Remember Pieces
Found in: Practicing & Playlists, Studio Management
Ruth P., North Carolina
I think sometimes students do mindless repetition for practice without breaking it down in such a way that the brain retains the piece. I had a student today who struggles with remembering her pieces so we just slowly went through a series of questions and answers before she played.
1] tell me anything you remember about this piece.
2] what note do you think the right hand starts on?
3] what was the lyric that Neil suggested you say when you play?
4] play the right hand as you say that lyric
5] describe what the left hand does
6] what do you remember about the left hand?
7] play the left hand as you sing the right hand (using the lyric as you sing)
8] play with both hands (singing the lyric as you play), but don’t press down the keys
9] play both hands slowly together
I was thrilled for her that after the process, she played successfully. Don’t you think that lessons are really about teaching students how to consciously and mindfully practice at home? I feel that my students have heard all this before, but today with these micro steps, she felt excited because it led her to success.
My challenge is to talk less and ask questions and listen more!
It’s fun to see what they come up with when I say – “tell me anything about this piece”. Yesterday one of my students said – “in this place when I go to the black note, it feels satisfying”! Love it.
Jo C., Australia
Sounds like the questions helped her brain move into a ‘Single Thought Process’
Christine W., Kansas
All. The. Time. I will also not let them touch the piano when I ask the questions, and name notes, not just finger numbers. I’m noticing some of my students in Foundation 4 and up do not know their keys on the piano by name 🤦🏼♀️🥺
Nancy N., New Hampshire
Christine W. Yes. Thank you! Some students (kids and adults) are all about mindless repetition because remembering exactly WHAT to play (plus knowing chords, notes names) involves the frontal cortex of the brain, and that requires more mental energy. Funny how they think if it’s “hard” (meaning requiring focus and thought) something’s wrong, but of course, meeting challenges is the only way to progress.
Ruth P. Thank you for sharing this list of questions. The SM way of learning is incredibly effective, but really hard for some of my students to internalize, especially those who keep trying to play by ear. These questions give good guidance!
Ruth P., North Carolina
You’re most welcome. I’m trying also to get my folks to use all the tools they can, but as you said, sometimes those who have a strong ear lean so much on it and the cognitive part might be neglected. I’ve been listening to an online class on memorizing music. He talks about three ways of memorizing (I’m paraphrasing his thoughts). His point is that muscle memory, aural cues and cognitive understanding all have to walk hand in hand. If one way is neglected, the ‘tower’ can crumble. I see this with my students when it comes to performing and they’ve not built a strong tower. If I could just have another life time, I might get this teaching thing down! LOL 😂 It’s nice to have this group where we can share ideas with each other!
Nancy N., New Hampshire
That paraphrase is perfect! I would add: visual re noticing what your hands are doing. That’s how the brain works, that’s why it’s so great that we have this method.
Original discussion started September 24, 2024