I recently purchased "Practiceopedia" by Philip Johnston. I usually don't do book reviews, and I'm not affiliated with the book or author. I just like all the help I can get with practicing.

So far I really like the presentation because it's humerous, has a lot of illustrations and the layout makes it easier to digest. I also have CC Chang's online book which I've printed out, and have gotten a lot of great ideas from him, and continue to refer to it; however, sometimes it's nice to have a different approach.

I'm a visual type of person so I find Practiceopedia a bit more user-friendly, and it has touched upon so many of my practice problems.

Anyone else have the book?

Practiceopedia

I have the books "Practiceopedia" and "The Practice Revolution" by Philip Johnston.

I'm going to share it with 2-3 older students who have been with me from 5-7 years and ask their opinion - "Did you find something helpful here? And, will you tell me what you liked best about the book?" I think I'll start by leaving it on the coffee table where it will be noticed.

Johnston put a lot of effort and energy into making the books contemporary reading, and he has an appeal as a "personality" and a "younger voice" in music. Not the least bit dry or boring.

I really like his website "PracticeSpot" and there is so much for a teacher to glean from there in ideas and directions to take to keep learning enthusiastic.

Never heard of it... thanks for the link! It looks intriguing and easy to read. It also looks like he's written it for practicing musical instruments in general, and not just piano? Maybe I'll try the ol' "buy this as a present for my daughter (she takes flute) but read it myself" trick.

I have the Practice Revolution. I found it interesting but geared more towards teachers of younger students. That said, there were great ideas throughout and I could really identify with some of the problem practice styles.

The book I have found by far the most insightful is The Perfect Wrong Note by William Westney. It explores the idea that each practice session should be approached fresh and that we can and should really learn from a wrong note - embrace them sort of...of course there's so much more and he explains it much better than me. I'm on my second read through this book. I loaned it to my teacher and he also really enjoyed it and I believe purchased it for himself - said that all music teachers should have to read it!!

Another book I found is Passionate Practice - The Musician's Guide to Learning, Memorizing and Performing by Margret Elson. It's a light read and has great ideas - mostly about focusing. Betty this would be a book that younger students would enjoy too.

Now I have to go look for Practiceopedia!!! Although I'm NOT going to buy another piano book.. I'm not..... I'm not.....I'm not....

I have some favorite practice books.

The Inner Game of Music which many of us know.

With Your Own Two Hands not quite as well known as the above, but was invaluable to me as an undergraduate student. Highly recommended.

On Practicing by Ricardo Iznaola. It is identified as a book for classical guitarists, but there is very little guitar specific material. Most everything is instrument non-specific. At $6.95 you can hardly go wrong. Also, it's published by Mel Bay, so you can get it anywhere, although you'll likely have to order it. Here is the quote from the book they have on the web page.


What happens on the concert stage is a direct consequence of what happens in the practice room. There is no magic and no mystery: good practice results in good performances. Poor practice will produce poor performances.

In order to learn to practice effectively the performer must first understand the nature of the peculiar challenge posed by a public performance and his/her capacity to face it not only successfully, but actually enjoy doing it. Loving music, and even loving to play music (for oneself), are not guarantees for success as a performer. One must feel the need to share with others one's music-making in order to become a successful performer.

The practice approach described here is focused on the ultimate goal of successful public performance. To practice well, in this context, means to achieve the goal of playing well in public.

This is not the most rousing quote in the book, but it does approach the heart of the matter. It is a VERY short book that cuts through layers of extra verbage and gives you an excellent system of practice hygeine. I can't recommend it enough.

All for now,

Steve Bondy

"With Your Own Two Hands" Seymour Bernstein is what I have been reading and studying the last week and I will hang with it until I feel done with it. Then, some future day, it will come out again. Not all my music books are like that. There is so much "how to" in this book - keyboard topography, kinesthesiology, technique.

I received it as a gift in 1985, and I have read it several times over the years, picking up more and more ideas and putting them into use. Of course, I read with a yellow highligher and pen to mark with, and then a journal in addition to catch key ideas and my intentions.

When I picked it up recently, I realized that I had put into place most of the first 1/2 of the book in my teaching, and not been specifically aware of it. Those ideas stuck until they became habit.

Does anything have as much power as a well written book?

Sandy: Just one more book, one more book, you don't "need" another book, but you "want" another book....I know. Me, too.

I have "With Your Own Two Hands" and "The Inner Game of Music" as well - great books. I've been recommended "The Perfect Wrong Note" before but haven't purchased that one yet - that will probably be next.

The Piano Landscape by Carol Montparker, and "Just Being at the Piano" by Mildred Portney Chase are great books as well, and for humor, David W. Barber's "Bach, Beethoven and the Boys" is a cute book.

As I mentioned in my first post, I'm very visual so I like photos, illustrations (even cartoons), colors, charts, humor, and anything else that helps to give me more ways to remember things. That's why I like "Practiceopedia", even though it's not geared just for adults - I'm an adult, but there's still a kid lurking inside who likes to have fun.

I have a bad habit of reading several books at once because I want to absorb so much information. I could start a lending library of piano, sheet music, sewing, medical and self-help/metaphysical books!

I guess that goes along with my wanting to work on so many pieces at once that I can't seem to finish a piece.

Sleeping Cats! Pleased to meet you!

My word! (pun?)

Someone else who reads several books at once, and the library of music, medical and self-help and metaphysical books! (Forget the sewing!)
But, a have a beloved 13 year old orange and white cat named "Marmaduke Ellington Riley Farouk Patnude". (Husband named him Riley because he lives the life of Riley, and Farouk because Maraduke is a priviledged person here everyone visiting gives attention first to Marmaduke as they come in the door.)

Anyway, the recommendation of favorite books from the music world is a good idea here, and I have put a few from the postings on my list to place holds at the library first, if I can find them there. My library shelves are full and I can't bear to toss anything, no room for more shelves either! I'm almost booked out!

Betty

Sleepingcats, thanks for posting this. I'd never heard of Practiceopedia, but I am pretty sure I'v heard of the auther.

This book looks fantastic! Everyone should click on that link and do the narrated book guide where you can hear the author explaining the book. I am definitely ordering this book!

I read Chang's book, my conclusion was that there is good information there, but it's not well-written and has a lot of external flaws that distract from the information contained.

I love "The Inner Game of Music" (surprise, that's why I recommend it to someone here once every three months!) but from what I can tell, ths Practiceopedia book is much more about what to do at the piano, whereas I think of the Inner Game as being about what to do inside your head.

I've been meaning to order the Perfect Wrong Note, but haven't yet. But the layout and content of Practiceopedia has me sold! All the cross-referencing it seems to allow just looks wonderful!

And now is a good time to read about practice techniques again. I think this is a topic that we all need to revisit every few months or twice a year.

Thanks again SleepingCats!

Hi Betty, nice to meet you too!

Marmaduke sounds very special, but then of course, all cats are special to me!

Have you read Carolyn Myss' "Anatomy of the Spirit"? I have the book but have been listening to the CDs in the car." Radical Forgiveness" by Colin Tipping is great too. "The Secret" DVD is great. Some meditative CDs help relax me at night when I'm trying to sleep....... I'm trying to improve my way of thinking toward only the positive, improve my concentration, to relax, not to be so hard on myself, etc. etc.

Shirokuro - I've missed your frequent and helpful posts! When I started reading "Practiceopedia", I thought of you since you have a very efficient practicing routine with your logs. I hope you find the book helpful.

sc

sc,

Yes, Yes, Yes. Kindred spirits, do you believe that! I'm always saying "For the highest good of all..." in my inner thoughts. And, then there's the deep breathing, so restful, and the time I spend with my intentions. I am so much more peaceful in my life that at any other time.

One of the things that happens with a quiet mind is the brain "pops" new ideas and messages to you. It's amazing to me, but I can tell pretty correct time without having a watch or a clock around. Even in the middle of the night! I've always thought of that as an indication that we don't use all our resources - there is a lot of hidden stuff out there in our environment like a "veil", perhaps.

Are you familiar with "Music of the Spheres"?

Oh, good, I finally mentioned "music" in this post. (Hee, hee.)

Betty

Thanks for recommending this, sleepingcats. I am grumbling because I really don't need to buy another book, but this one looks so great that I am going to have to give in.

I did what ShiroKuro recommended and listened to the author's guide to it, and it really made me want to buy. I looked for it on my favorite used book website, but they were asking $93 for it!

Here's my rationalization for the day: Even with shipping thrown in, it costs less than one lesson!

Nancy

$93?!!! Hmm, it's on Amazon for $40. That's odd...

Okay.......I love this book! The layout or style of the book may not be suitable for everyone, but it makes learning more fun and memorable for me; it's not as dry as reading a book with straight text. As I read each chapter (and take a few notes), I'm getting more inspired. I can't wait to start a new piece so I can apply as many methods as possible. For now, I will apply what I can to my current pieces that have gotten stale, so I can bring them back to life.

NancyM333 - $93 for a used copy - they must have made a mistake! Hope you ordered from Amazon or directly from the publisher.

Betty, "Music of the Spheres"........how beautiful! My husband doesn't like wind chimes unfortunately, so I haven't looked at any in ages, but maybe I could put some up when he goes out of town. I'm working on my deep, abdominal breathing per my massage therapist and acupuncturist, and have started daily journaling and writing down my dreams again. I'm trying to do more therapeutic activities for my mind & body which will all help me with my relaxation and focusing when I practice the piano.

Sleepingcats...

When your mind is absolutely quiet and you have the quiet mind attitude in progress, your brain will send you what you need to know! Enlightening and helpful aha! moments! We all go at too fast of a pace, and slowing down gives us an edge in understanding ourselves, which is our "inner universe". (My thoughts anyway!)

And, the "Music of the Spheres" I was mentioning is the universe making sound through vibrations (we don't hear them) as they move. I need to look it up for a more correct explanation as I had it in a music history review class last and I know I know something about it, but can't quite recall what I know, you know what I mean?

My social worker friend, Audrey, says you should do one new goal at a time not rush through a bunch of new stuff all at once and expect it to stick. I get quite overwhelmed on the ideas generated, and wonder "where to start?"

I love being a lifetime learner! Don't you?

Betty

Would anyone who has this book like to comment on how he or she likes it?

Thanks,
Angelo