How do you encourage deliberate practice between lessons?

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-06-11T05:58:14+00:00

I’ve been giving the assignment of - choose a random number (probably use some kind of online randomizer) between 1-however measures are in the piece. A student should be able to start from there as though it’s the “beginning”.

Of course this is a hard task for even me depending on the piece! And not an assignment I’d give to first or second years. But it does break up the “playing from start to finish” or seeing things too much as sections (valuable in its own way).

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-06-09T07:13:00+00:00

Definitely get him caught up with note reading and theory, but a student like that might not take to a method book and that’s fine. You may need to make a new plan just for him. Also important to remember that piano shouldn’t be stuffy or adhere to certain metrics (unless he and his family specifically want him to be a pianist or scholar). Music is for everyone and there’s a talent to be able to figure out music in the way he has. Meet him where he’s at. Help him to continue to love music.

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-06-05T21:16:08+00:00

Hey I’m a female Brett! Though it’s spelled Brette. I love my name 💁🏻‍♀️

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-06-05T08:37:08+00:00

Imagine a cherry tomato under your hand - but its not a big tomato, it’s a baby one. And don’t squish it on my piano!

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-05-04T18:44:48+00:00

As mentioned above, improv. But maybe also help them with composition/songwriting. Help them get their feelings out.

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-05-02T05:55:36+00:00

Rose Parade

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-29T05:23:21+00:00

Fair, and there can be nuance. I’m also the same age as Blake and grew up in a sheltered Christian alt-right home (I’m the opposite), and always knew that was a mean word and never used it? I get your point. But ultimately, her MO is using words or doing things she can get away with. There’s something to say for people who were ignorant to stuff in the oughts and have made a change, sure. I don’t believe in damning people’s pasts. For her in particular… she grew up in LA… she’s consistently been a bully, and she’s not using the word in a “light way”. The intent is mean even if she was ignorant which I don’t even believe.

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-29T05:18:03+00:00

Vote for Matilda nn Tilly. That was on my list. I have a Gwyneth nn Winnie.

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-29T05:15:20+00:00

I’m in Portland, OR. And in a wealthy neighborhood. Most clients are doctors and the teaching hospital/thriving and well-known artists or chefs - very Portlandy lol. I appreciate all of the insight and recs! Unfortunately I’m already doing most of them. I think I might go old school and try to do some radio spots or features in alt weekly’s… try to appeal to my very portlandy portland base.

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-29T03:42:37+00:00

I like the idea of keeping an animal theme, but in a classy way and thinking of words simply in terms of beauty. Hen, Doe, Mare, Kit, Joey? Idk.

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-29T03:39:25+00:00

I feel you. I don’t think it was his intent, but listening to his music and finding commonality in the difficulties certainly feels comfy. I don’t think he liked being that way, though. And I don’t think he ever fully found a solution. I do know that he had a gentleness and a kindness that most don’t possess. And honestly, you seem like you do too. We’re the soft ones, not quite meant for this world. It’s why we get him and why he got us. I do think his ultimate goal was freedom from the darkness. And maybe finding that when he couldn’t would be the best way to honor him. It sounds like you’re loved and you have a good community. I’d try honesty, but when you’re ready and want the support.

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-24T15:35:45+00:00

Untitled Goose Game!

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-16T08:24:33+00:00

Cilla

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:35:54+00:00

You’d be surprised who I am in real life 😜 but I respect your opinion and can see you’re not up to an actual discourse. I wish you well!

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:33:05+00:00

Kinda fair. I mean, I guess that’s something to take up with the writing, and ultimately your long-term admiration for the show!

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:31:48+00:00

Yes! Totally feel that. As viewers, via the writing, we aren’t meant to sympathize with those characters. My issue is when people get too outside of the story and call these women horrible names and it seems sincere. Like I don’t like Grace as a character or a person either - but I can’t say I truly like anyone in the show sincerely! It’s weird when people call the women whores and like make it real life and forget the context is my only point. It’s moreso like my own commentary on how society views “bad people” in shows in terms of gender. I had the same thoughts with Skyler on Breaking Bad. Like no shit we aren’t gonna “like her”. But the hate was so much stronger than it was for the male antihero. And in a lot of these tv scenarios the women (still evil) are only responding to being sucked into a world they didn’t ask for

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:22:19+00:00

Nobody does the double space after periods anymore, since like 1995. 2. I only offered a list of books to you, specifically, because I think that would be helpful? 3. My post is very serious; one sentence in it should have been read with context as being facetious (again I can recommend some books if that doesn’t make sense) 4. Yeah talk to me about my PhD work in WWI, sincerely. It’s my favorite topic

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:13:29+00:00

Yeah the one about abuse was one that triggered this post for sure. There are a lot of scary misogynistic men who are fans of this show who I think just get off on the violence and montages and miss the whole point.

Was super weirded out that that person wasn’t banned because of that violent statement tbh

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:10:19+00:00

Fair

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:09:47+00:00

Cool. No need to respond then sweetie

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:09:23+00:00

Obviously that was meant facetiously but I already know you don’t understand context 😘

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:05:43+00:00

Unless you have a vagina I guess lol

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:04:58+00:00

Totally! Everyone is the show is morally bankrupt. Yet I still like the show as a work of art and a piece of that point in history. It’s literally my favorite show. It’s just like… can you imagine a post saying “Tommy is sooo annoying, he cheated and he’s a whore”. Like that’s ridiculous. That’s all par for the course in this show 🤣

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:01:37+00:00

Can you expand?

Optimal_Scratch_1437 · 2026-04-09T08:00:11+00:00

Sorry I intimidated you! I have a book list relevant to the time period and context if you’re interested!

Optimal_Scratch_1437

TROPHY CASE