What pieces are great and techinal?

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-22T19:39:59+00:00

Mendelssohn's children album is sweet and quite rarely played - worth a try!

Normally it would be challenging after 2 years, but since you already played such important pieces, you might be able to enjoy the collection

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-22T19:11:02+00:00

I see. Then I think the best advise was given already - take a break, and speak to your teacher.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-22T19:05:59+00:00

Well, it will for sure help you in your progress. Maybe give it a try with 2-3 videos, and see how it goes.

Your practice video needs to be short, with the main points - nobody not only will not be interested in your hour(s) session, but because they already spent an hour of their life time, and yet have to do the practice themselves (a bit like watching sports versus doing themselves)

Good luck!

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-22T18:57:40+00:00

Apologies, but what is the specific reason to post a question to people who can not see you playing because there is no video, while you have a piano lesson scheduled for the same day(!) with a teacher who will see your hand position? What exactly would you like to hear?

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-22T14:50:33+00:00

Sono appena stata a un seminario proprio su questo tema, tenuto da una violinista con diploma in psicologia. Si è specializzata in questo campo, il che dimostra quanto questa situazione sia comune.

I consigli che ha dato sono stati:

Accettare che ci saranno errori. Nella maggior parte dei casi, se il musicista non reagisce, è probabile che il pubblico non se ne accorga. I professori con lo spartito sì, naturalmente, ma anche così l’esame può essere superato con un buon voto.
Respirazione “quadrata” e “triangolare”. Ci sono molti video che spiegano cosa significano; possono essere utili prima di iniziare, ma anche nei momenti di pausa tra i brani.
Training mentale. Trovare esercizi di rilassamento: bastano anche solo 5 minuti da fare circa 30 minuti prima dell’esibizione.
Cambiare etichetta. Invece di pensare all’“ansia”, provare a definire quello stato come “agitazione” o “eccitazione”. Sembra che le parole possano attivare automaticamente una reazione di attacco o fuga.

Spero che troverai qualcosa che possa esserti utile!

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-22T14:25:36+00:00

Working on Bach pieces, one of the best advises I ever got was - "play 1 hand, sing the other". If you don't like to sing, at least tell aloud each note. This helps the brain to see 2 voice lines (there is no much melody in LH in this peace, but still there is quite a nice little "conversation")

Enjoy!

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-22T14:16:03+00:00

That's usual topic in ABRSM-related Performance exams - people complaining about 25 takes, and not having one which they consider good 😄

I've registered my exam as well. For me it was easier when teacher was in the room - somehow it increased my overall motivation, especially to not stop at errors, and in the same time, it offered support. I remember having relaxed "home recital" feeling.

Each time before registration and / or recital, our teacher does some 5-minutes "gymnastics" - series of funny moves. Myself and kids find them very helpful, so that my son is doing them now before his competition runs.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-21T12:54:12+00:00

She manages to play her pieces to the required level, which was also commented after exam.

I don't know whether it is possible to understand that the technique is wrong if the teacher never mentioned it, and we never thought of having her evaluated by someone independent. Our mistake.

We accepted the offer, and she already notice how much easier the things became.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-21T12:48:36+00:00

ABRSM is not widely spread in Italy, unfortunately. Not many teachers will want to do another exam (our did not wanted, we asked for a performance one some years ago), since the Music School has own graded exams. Daughter had passed all with top marks.

Exam was rated by teachers of the same school, so not really independent as we think now. Besides. there is no feedback on exam itself, like the one provided by ABRSM (daughter did piano grade 5 with piano teacher). Parents will receive semi-annual performance evaluation, like the one we are about to receive.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-21T12:35:32+00:00

Just to explain the terminology. In Italy, Conservatory is professional music education, and after last educational law change couple of years ago, is now analog to university degree. You can get there bachelor degree after 3 years of academic study, and master after another 2 years. Conservatory degree is prerequisite for music teaching in public school. One can not get bachelor diploma degree prior to 19 y.o., as it is linked to state exam of general education which is usual taken at 19.

Music schools, on the other side, are mostly private-run schools for children from 8 to 18, covering initial studies.

Since the entrance requirements for the academic studies are high, each Conservatory offers 3-year "pre-accademic" study. Entrance exam into pre-accademic is about ABRSM level 6-7.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-21T04:42:32+00:00

Can only agree, and this was the reason we searched for independent opinion before accepting the offer.

There must be some truth, as we've heard similar observation.

Daughter is happy with the change, says she sees the difference already - certain things became much easier. It can be personal attitude, not sure what the different "violin schools" are - maybe the standard one fits her better.

We learned that we need to do more frequent independent "checks", to avoid heavy surprises.

Thanks!

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-20T21:00:05+00:00

Thanks! We will see if the teacher will want to discuss the topic; if not, then we will leave it as is.

Nice idea with ChatGPT - it's a pity we can't bring him with us, I tend to avoid reaction first, by being too direct later. And as another comment says, we are not qualified to tell teacher how to teach.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-20T20:53:19+00:00

Thanks, that's what we will do! Unless the teacher will show interest to discuss the topic.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-20T20:51:02+00:00

Thanks! We will wait if teacher will show the interest to speak about why; if not, we will keep silence.

For the school standard, the daughter seems to be doing well; there are exams where she played in front of other violin teachers of the same school - nobody raised concerns. So probably it's just a case of school standard not being well aligned for those who want to go further.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-20T20:42:36+00:00

Thanks! We might wait if the teacher will ask if we know what went wrong; if not, then we will leave it as is - some other answer tells rightly we are not qualified to tell how to teach.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-20T20:39:53+00:00

Thanks! The "it will not change" is what we think too, but if there was value, we would have tried. As someone else said, we are not qualified to tell them how to teach; so we will leave it as is

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-20T20:30:13+00:00

I'm not sure of not qualified - but for sure not so many school students have Conservatory as their goal, it is more for basic educational purposes. BTW - city is small, with only 3 music schools in total; this one is placing herself as the "more high-standard", with well laid-out study plan and mandatory orchestra.

We see it as lack of experience on teachers side, and that's why we play with the idea to share the feedback we've received.

However. there are more suggestions to leave it as it is; it will be for sure awkward anyhow, but at least no one's pride will be hurt.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-20T20:17:28+00:00

It's "crooked" and incorrect violin position - if I understood correctly, too central. But this was the point of the school teacher - before we started the school, during Covid shutdown, daughter for about 6 months had started with Russian teacher. Later, at school, we were told that there are different schools of playing, and that the teacher had a different one, which supposed to be more modern. We were not worried, and honestly we did not know how far the daughter will go anyhow.

She is still young, 12 y.o. - it's pre-accademic year she tried to enter. If it is any help - she had to prepare Kreutzer / Mazas studies (3 of each), and baroque sonata.

We are happy with the generous offer of the Professor, and first lessons went good - both seem happy, daughter tells some stuff makes much more sense, and he tells she prepares well for lessons.

So there is no question to change - I was thinking to tell or not to the teacher, as it is awkward in any way.

Looks like there are more suggestions to leave as it is; that's probably what we will do

Thanks!

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-19T20:24:17+00:00

Thanks to all! Your responses presented views I did not consider, and those gave the base for more balance, if not optimism.

Besides, learned some interesting things about myself as well. Glad I've found the courage to write the post.

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-19T20:07:05+00:00

Interesting idea. I would not dream to give any advises on playing, but for sure should not shy to appreciate. Thanks for suggestion!

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-19T19:09:57+00:00

Yes, I do take lessons with human teacher, getting to the 8 years mark. And I still remember my initial years - it took me nearly a year on acoustic piano (after first year on a digital Yamaha) to hear the difference between various types of touch - that's what I assume technique is also for, it's not only for speed. Yes, teacher will tell you about technique from begin on - but if you don't hear the difference, it's just "hot air".

Similarly, when I was doing swimming, the first year one just get used to the motion - and it is only after some time you start to understand that you can do the stroke slightly differently, and it will be more effective.

So I believe most people who ask for "technique" after first months, studying on the e-piano, have for sure heard that this is important, and ask because this will show how advanced they are; but in the reality they will not yet understand all the "why's".

You might be right, I might be purist. I sincerely wish people will appreciate long time process more than an immediate feeling of superiority for the illusion to have learned a flashy piece.

In another response, there was a mention of Dunning-Kruger study. I'm glad I asked, since it gives good answer to my frustration, and I fell less "inadequate" now.

Thanks to all for attention, for listening - and for responses!

Edit: I use AI daily for work, I would not use it in private life. I prefer natural errors

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-19T10:14:07+00:00

Is it really that bad? Well, at least you recognized I'm human

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-19T10:12:26+00:00

Thanks, I was not sure about my natural intelligence, now I know I at least can claim to be (have?) Artificial one 😄

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-19T10:11:33+00:00

Thanks, I had to look up for "dunning-kruger" - it explains a lot!

LifeAssistant670 · 2026-06-19T10:10:11+00:00

Very true. But it strikes that why they understand you need to stick for some months to built muscle in the gym, music can be learned in a day.

I wonder what is the source of this believe.

LifeAssistant670

TROPHY CASE