This is what I did just this morning. The two pieces I'm working on are in E and Eb so I ran through the scales M/m and chords w/inversions and arpeggios for these scales (although they are far from mastered). It helps to have a better understanding of the harmony and progressions when playing the piece. And nothing feels better than that Ah Ha moment when something falls in place.

Yes, that's a great reward.

Have you tried Flip-flopping?

Play scales for 5 minutes, then play repertoire for 5. For many students, the tone does not continue to improve after the first 5 minutes is up.

Good reminder. It happens from time to time that I get caught in a tedious pattern although I try to flip-flop. Generally I find great joy in technical exercises because I know that they prepare me for the next piece or difficulties I am experiencing. My mind works best with diversity so I try to organize practice in intervals that are not too long and not too short.

This month's Piano Explorer magazine for students featured Rachmaninoff. I decided to have the students read it out load for class today, so that we could discuss it as the article unfolded.

As a student, little Sergei was required to go live with his piano teacher! And he couldn't go home, even for school and holiday breaks!!!!

I polled the students to see how many would like to move in, receive 3 lessons a day, and practice in between. So far, no takers, though I may extend the offer to parents - there may be a few who wish to dump their little darlings for a couple of years.

According to the article, his adult practice regimen was 4 hrs a day - and 2 hrs a day on scales and arpeggios. The writer didn't make it clear (to me) whether practice totaled 4 or 6 hrs a day, when scales were included.

It would be interesting to contrast Rachmaninov with Chopin, who by all accounts was also a master teacher. My impression is that Chopin was given great freedom when young.

Now, I wonder how many hours a day young Chopin practiced.

John:

You are too kind! :p

I think practicing scales and technique for 2 hours per day is too much for normal piano players. Most kids today don't practice anywhere near 2 hours per day.

There is a quotation from a letter Chopin's father, Mikolaj, wrote to him after he'd gone to France, Mikolaj states, "I never remember you working more than an hour at a time on someone's else's piece - - " Chopin pretty much taught himself in any case. His teacher, Zywny, was a friend of Chopin's father and primarily a violinist. He guided Chopin from the time he was about 6 until Chopin outgrew him at 12 but remained a fixture in the family for the rest of his life.

That matches pretty well with what I've read about Chopin's practice.

I have to shake my head reading about people playing scales for two hours a day. I have students who don't practice that much in a week.

I'm unsure about what level I'm at. But I am new to Schumann album. Sonatina, Chopins Mazurkas/Wlatz?Polonaises, Bach inventions, and Pischna with my teacher. Since just started piano about a year and a couple of months. I plan on taking major in Piano, and I also want to compose. Practice time depends how much time I need ot learn a piece and polish up on finished ones. But scales/arpeggios are always practice for me everyday.

Practicing/finished pieces

Clementi: 36.1 (sonatina)
Chopin: Mazurka 67.3
Schumann: Hunting Song (album for the young)
Schuberts Launder in G major
Kabalevsky op 27
Little Pishna (to strengthen my Fingers)

Learning
Bach Inventions no 1 (took me 2 days to learn this piece)
Clementi 36 adante

Everything takes me about 2-4 hours daily. I'm like everyone else I work everyday, But I do have time to practice everyday. I want to major in Piano, and become a [url=http://vatousuke.deviantart.com/gallery/[/URL]
Concept Artist in Anime/Manga.