DrMarkAndersenexcite.com Posted March 21, 2001 Share Posted March 21, 2001 A couple of recent threads here have got me thinking about routes to technical virtuosity, and practice regimes. I'd like to ask the members of the group "What is your practice regime?" How do you keep your playing technique at a high level? To help get a discussion started, here's mine: 1) Some Hanon exercises. I have about six that I like to run through to warm up. 2) Scales. Major scales, through the circle of fifths, four octaves up and down. Melodic minor scales, through the circle of fifths, two octaves up and down. Harmonic minor scales, through the circle of fifths, two octaves up and down. 3) Sometimes I add major triad arpeggios in contrary motion. This seems to be a good exercise for getting your hands independent of one another. 4) After this, I start actually playing tunes, working on arrangements, etc. I do a mix of composing/arranging and live playing, in whatever time my family and day job leaves me. I'm interested in developing my improvising skills. I practice improvisation at the piano, and soloing along with sequenced material, regularly. I'm 43, and I've been playing since I was 5, so I've tried and either discarded or forgotten lots of practice tips. Still, are there additional (or other) exercises that I should try? ------------------ Mark A. New Mexico St. Univ. Mark A. New Mexico St. Univ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidCharlemagne Posted March 21, 2001 Share Posted March 21, 2001 Great query. I was raised on Hanon, but at conservatory was encouraged to discard him (too little use of thumb under movement, no musicality required, better to spend time on repetoire that focused on technical issues, e.g., chopin or debussy etudes), now i do little or no virtuousic drilling, though i could surely use it. i play blues scales in different keys, some arpeggios, occasionally practice block chords, but am dying to learn drills that would help me play better rock/pop licks. current routine: after some of this unfocused warm-up, i play songs i'd like to learn, and lately spend a fair amount of time playing along to tracks with good piano parts. i try to review previously learned tunes, but not doing it systematically. looking forward to others' responses. This message has been edited by KidCharlemagne on 03-21-2001 at 01:08 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrMarkAndersenexcite.com Posted March 21, 2001 Author Share Posted March 21, 2001 Originally posted by KidCharlemagne: Great query. I was raised on Hanon, but at conservatory was encouraged to discard him (too little use of thumb under movement, no musicality required, better to spend time on repetoire that focused on technical issues, e.g., chopin or debussy etudes), now i do little or now virtuousic drilling, though i could surely use it. i play blues scales in different keys, some arpeggios, but am dying to learn drills that would help me play better rock/pop licks. OK, how do you finger blues scales in flat keys? Blues scales in F and C, and in the sharp keys up through B, are easy for me to finger over several octaves. Blues scales in flat keys past F (really in any key that starts on a black key) have always given me fits. I can't figure out what to do with my thumb! Looking at that Jordan Rudess video interview yesterday, it looked to me like he was starting lots of phrases with some sort of descending arpeggio figure. It sounded real similar to some licks that I've heard guitar players default to in long solos. Anybody else notice this? ------------------ Mark A. New Mexico St. Univ. Mark A. New Mexico St. Univ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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