Spring, 2006 Student Film/DVD, The Anatomy of Performance Preparation

WOW, what a project!  There's no telling how many hundreds of hours it took to compile, but the final result of our 2006 student film has unveiled the “secrets” that can help pianists feel more comfortable in sharing music with others.

Students, if you didn't get YOUR personal copy of the DVD, make sure to contact the studio so we can burn you one! 

Here's a sneak peek at some of the secrets mentioned in the film!

10 Secrets to Successful Performance Preparation

SECRET #1:  CONCENTRATE -- In order to achieve success in whatever task is at hand, you need to concentrate when you practice.

SECRET #2:  Allow enough preparation time – plan to have the music you’ll be performing learned, memorized, and basically up-to-tempo, no later than 4-6 weeks prior to the recital or competition. 

SECRET #3:  SOLVE THE MUSIC RIDDLES hidden in your music.  At each practice session, see how the music fits together.  Set SPECIFIC goals for each practice session and always practice with one small goal or improvement in mind each day.  Isolate technical problems and work on a 1 or 2 measure passage.  Don’t waste your time playing over the easy bits and avoiding the awkward or difficult parts of a piece.

SECRET #4:  Practicing is not the same as performing:

Too often, pianists will simply "play through" pieces, not ever taking the time to solve the riddles or improve the tricky spots.  But, actually, this is NOT practice – and, this will not lead to progress.  So, rather than playing the same passage 100 times, can you play it 100 different ways?  

SECRET #5: Make sure you always practice at a tempo that allows you to avoid mistakes and pauses.  Make sure you put the information into your brain CORRECTLY the FIRST TIME, to save hours and hours of practice simply FIXING your mistakes! 

SECRET #6:  Learn how to use the metronome correctly

SECRET #7:  Counting SILENTLY is not the same as counting ALOUD.

SECRET #8:  Take the time to choreograph the music carefully.  Many pianists don’t realize that many problems in performances stem from not feeling comfortable at the instrument. 

SECRET #9:  Learn how to memorize successfully.  Memorize the piece as soon as possible – early on – as soon as you’ve solved the riddles.  Only memorize a very small section of music at-a-time.  Review, review, review -- reinforce and maintain the memories --- reinforce all aspects of memory.  Test the memory with “STRESS-BUSTERS” like Snail Game, (playing sections super slowly); Landmark Drill, Super Score (daily review of the music score); Ghost Practice, (visualization);  Shrink Game (written analysis of composition);  Jack-in-the-box “brain teasers”

SECRET #10:  Practice Performing – Visualize the performance. Practice keeping a “poker face” -- “Concentration Buster” – Try-out recital outfit, including shoes;   HOW TO PRACTICE THE DAY OF PERFORMANCE? Concentrate and warm-up your BRAIN, not just your fingers.  Keep focused.  Practice, don’t perform.  It’s not a good idea to play the piece over and over from memory, up-to-tempo. Instead, open the music score, USE THE MUSIC, turn on the metronome and practice setting your ideal tempos.

Studio Calendar 

Continue your virtual

tour of McLelland Piano Studio

McLelland Piano Studio Birmingham, Alabama

Special Programs and Events

Recitals, masterclasses,

special workshops for all ages and levels of advancement.

Special workshops, festivals and masterclasses are offered throughout the year by studio faculty and visiting clinicians including college professors, independent  teachers, concert artists and other professionals.

Students of all ages and levels are afforded numerous opportunites to participate in festivals and competitions sponsored by the studio and by professional music groups such as the Music Teachers National Association and the National Federation of Music Clubs.

The special events provide exposure to all aspects of the instrument and foster a deeper appreciation of music. All events are free and included in the tuition cost, and many are open to the public. 

Designed as a motivational and educational tool for students and their families, these programs supplement other events offered by professional music groups such as Birmingham Music Teachers Association or the Metro Music Forum of Birmingham or The Golandsky International Piano Institute.

Discover the secrets behind healthy motions of the hands .  Whether at the piano or a computer keyboard, it is possible to move in ways which  prevent tension, fatigue, and possible injuries.   Master these principles of healthy motion -- the Taubman Approach to piano playing -- through your weekly lessons , local workshops, viewing of videotapes prior to lessons, and through masterclasses with master Taubman teachers Edna Golandsky and John Bloomfield in Atlanta, New York City, and Princeton University.

We're serious musicians, but we also love to have some fun at our studio. Students learn best when in a relaxed and happy state, so, whether it's a keyboard carnival, piano camp, Spooktacular, Christmas piano-caroling, or other fun gathering, you'll see plenty of smiles at McLelland Piano Studio.  Like the students above, who are attending the 2005 Mayblast Studio party at Chuck-e-Cheese or like our Mayblast Luau parties --- complete with hoola hoops, hoola skirts, (and, in 2006, a live drummer and guitarist to accompany students as they performed different jazz and pop pieces on the piano!)