The Piano Practicing Toolbox

When students reach the intermediate level it becomes especially important to pass on solid learning strategies and problem solving skills. I like to think of it as the Piano Practicing Toolbox. If we equip our students with a variety of strategies for different situations, eventually they become able to look at a new piece and make a smart plan for learning. Or if they are running into problems in the practice room they can come up with a solution that gets results.

I have found that Piano Repertoire 5 from RCM's Perspectives Series is a wonderful source for repertoire where students can put a variety of learning techniques to work. I like to focus on about a dozen practice tools with my Grade 5 students:

1. Simplify
2. "and" Counting
3. 8 Reps for Success
4. Fab Fingering
5. Backwards Sections
6. Push-ups
7. Blocking
8. Balance
9. Tap n' Count
10. Leap n' Land
11. Articulation Perfection
12. Shaping Phrases

In the next few posts I'll get into more detail about each of these learning tools and how they may be applied to specific selections from RCM's Grade 5 Repertoire book. In the meantime you might like to download my page of Practice Tool stickers that you can print on a page of Avery 5160/8160 Mailing Address labels. Just click here to access the file in my Dropbox.

Check back soon for more about the Piano Practicing Toolbox!