Here is What a One-Hour Piano Practice Actually Looks Like

Ever wonder what a one-hour piano practice actually looks like?
When it comes to piano practice, Hollywood has lead us astray!
Piano practice seems like this always-sounds-amazing activity. But, when we actually practice, this perception misleads us.
Piano practice is a series of focused, slow, repetitive practice activities, especially when we are in the early stages of learning a new piano piece.
And so, I thought it would be fun to show you what a one-hour piano practice looks like in reality.
The piece is "Juba Dance" by Nathaniel Dett, which I am hoping to learn by the time Black History Month ends.
Here is a breakdown of how the practice session turned out:
*Practice Goal* - learn page three fluently (correct notes, some steady tempo)
3:14 First Runthrough
7:25 Working page 3, section by section, many reps
17.21 Switching to an earlier section, working on RH fingering consistency
22:44 Back to page 3, this time adding the metronome to start working up speed
32:47 Switching to the final section, smoothing over notes. Again, many reps
38:06 Back to page 3, this time working to speed up further with the metronome
47:45 Switching to the secon main section of the piece, working out repeated chords and pedaling (again...many reps)
53:03 Back to page 3, smoothing over and working some of the transitions
57:47 Final runthrough

[@zorac91]

This has been very useful. It has helped me make my practice more efficient and not get desperate when I can't get through some parts on a piece. Thank you very much!

[@SouthShorePianoSchool]

Thank you so much, I’m so happy you found it helpful!! ❤️❤️

[@icareg]

Very useful video! I just got into the grade 5 in the abrsm. I need to smarten up with my practice!

[@SouthShorePianoSchool]

Thank you so much!! I’m actually an examiner for the RCM examination program, so totally understand the structured practice needed! Thank you so much for your kind comment 😊

[@n1iwr]

Nice!! It’s great to see u put into practice the concepts of learning a pice that u teach us, ur students.Thanks!! Again another great video!

[@Marco-nj1dw]

Esto me gusto

[@SouthShorePianoSchool]

Thank you so much!!!

[@gemsfromhistorysdustpan2.070]

Oh no the metronome

[@SouthShorePianoSchool]

Lol, use with caution

[@danielc.martin]

i feel much better now lol

[@SouthShorePianoSchool]

So happy this helped! Lol

[@Beyondabsence]

I’d go crazy practicing on a piano that's this out of tune. It feels like no matter how much I try to block it out, the harshness of the sound keeps pulling me out of the music. Perhaps it's a shortcoming of mine.

[@SouthShorePianoSchool]

To be fair, this video was filmed during COVID, so I didn’t have my technician coming in lol.
Interestingly, when I’ve practiced on out of tune pianos when I didn’t have another choice, my ear seems to “correct” it within half an hour or so so it’s tolerable by the end. Maybe it’s a weird brain coping mechanism of mine lol. Thank you for your comment!

[@icareg]

​@SouthShorePianoSchool I'm by no means an expert. But the piano sounds just fine

[@ronvaliant9337]

It sounds fine. Maybe it’s your hearing.

[@poplarboydavid]

Sure it’s a bit wobbly. Try focusing on the timing and synchronisation and accept the wobble!