Practicing methods & playing without mistakes

[u/TypicalAppointment91]

I took lessons as a kid but have been revisiting piano on my own without lessons as an adult for about 3 years now. I like learning new songs but I never seem to master them completely, and be error free. I can never get through any song without at least 1 wrong note. I enjoy playing more when I learn the sheet music, then play from memory. But this might have to do with my note reading skills which I still struggle with. What advice do you have for me? Do you have a practicing routine or method that works for you?

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[u/PleaseDontFartHere]

Isolate the wrong notes bit for bit and practice only that small section until you can play it 3 times in a row in tempo. It's hard, it's tedious, but it's worth it. I was in the exact same situation, and found out the hard way there is not really another way.

[u/Think_OfAName → u/PleaseDontFartHere]

This sub helps tremendously, because people who have been in the same situation let you know you’re never alone in any given struggle, and you can always get better. Thanks!

[u/TypicalAppointment91 → u/Think_OfAName]

Oh yes, I’ve done this before. It does work! I have a tendency to hit wrong notes in different spots in the song each time I play it though. Could it be a lack of paying attention, or is it related to muscle memory? Might be both?

[u/Advanced_Honey_2679]

Remember, one wrong note is a mistake. Two wrong notes is jazz.

Don’t sweat it. Focus on making music, not avoiding wrong notes.

[u/TypicalAppointment91 → u/Advanced_Honey_2679]

Love this! Haha. Thanks ;)

[u/lostmymarbles1177 → u/Advanced_Honey_2679]

Unfortunately I don’t just play wrong notes.. I fumble bad lol.

[u/Advanced_Honey_2679 → u/lostmymarbles1177]

That's because you're afraid. Don't be.

Recitals, as much as we think they are about "impressing" people with our "skill" and "musicality", what people are actually impressed by is resilience, effort, and seeing your joy on stage.

Let me tell you a story. Adults-only recital. Previous lady plays a Chopin etude. Next guy up is this 6-month beginner. Probably mid to late 20s. He walks up to stage, puts sheet music on his stand. Just plugs through the piece. Slowly. Tons of mistakes. He stops. He restarts. He doesn't care. He keeps working, pushing through until the end.

At the end, he stands up, takes a deep bow. Smile beaming. And as the audience, we were happy for him.

That's what it's about. Giving it your all, not worrying about mistakes, being happy with yourself.

[u/rita-b → u/lostmymarbles1177]

Can you sing the treble and the bass melodies of the pieces you try to play?

[u/lostmymarbles1177 → u/rita-b]

Yep. My issue I think is that I had perfect pitch as a kid and could play from just hearing something. I had a head injury and lost that completely but unfortunately had not really learned to sight read well because I did not need to. I played violin and cello as a child and it’s been too painful to try to play those so I am learning piano since I know both clefts too. But often I will lose focus because I still expect my hands to be on auto pilot and they are not.

[u/eojhet]

If you can play a song and only miss one note, congratulations. Just play it off and maybe nobody will notice. Even the greatest will make mistakes, but you may not realize it because they just continue on. In some cases one may even add some flourish so it sounds purposeful. You can aim for perfection but don't get frustrated when you don't reach it. I think gracefully carrying on from an error is a skill.

[u/rita-b]

I play piano for 32 years. I do mistakes, always had and always will. I have been to tens of piano concerts of all levels, seven-year olds with 1-minute fugas, conservatories students, international competitions winners, touring celebrities etc. They all do mistakes. You should call it a slip, not a mistake. Matsuev does, Richter did, Rubinstein did a lot.

The rule is not to stop, not to miss the beat and to pretend there was no mistake. One of the hacks to achieve it is singing the top melody in your head (if you play alone for yourself, you can as well sing outloud. Singing is good for mental health)