2 hours? 4 hours? 8 hours? 12 hours? How much is enough? Is there such a thing as practising too much? Is there an optimal number of hours that one should practice? Some of the great artists of the 20th century have shared their thoughts on these questions. I seem to recall reading an interview with Rubinstein years ago, in which he stated that nobody should have to practice more than four hours a day, explaining that if you needed to practice more than four hours a day, you probably weren’t doing it right.

Piano instruction books often depict ‘the right posture for playing piano.’ They may illustrate a pianist with a straight back, feet on the floor, and forearms parallel to the floor. There are advantages and disadvantages to presenting images like this. If a student were to hold this position, the holding may become very limiting for piano technique, not to mention tiring! Through an investigation into positive poise, we can explore some principles of coordination for playing.

Forty plus years and the metronome still ticks beats to the minute, be it a mechanical pendulum, electronic or my Steinway app!

Celebrating Forty Years of Membership. Every year, the VMTA acknowledges members who have reached their membership milestone of forty years. Here are some reflections from two of our members, Maxine Shell and Patricia West.

By Gregory Daubney MSc MBPsS & Dr Alison Daubney
Reprinted from Performance Anxiety: A Practical Guide for Music Teachers
Incorporated Society of Musicians Trust (ISM Trust), February 2017
Your performance is tomorrow! Your heart races faster than ever as you realise that this time tomorrow you will be performing. Have you practised enough? Can you remember the whole piece? What happens if you fail? Why are you doing this? Your breathing is short and shallow. Your heart is hammering against your chest wall and getting louder while your mouth is dry. How can I do this? Why did I do this? I don’t want to do this! Don’t make me do this! and…STOP!