Piano practice plan for 2020
I wasn't ready for a practice plan at the beginning of the year. But I think now is the right time. Kind of remembered to do this because of Aimee's recent video, a video worth watching:
I unfortunately can't commit enough time everyday to finish a song in a week given my skill level—the playing bit is easy but the brain bit is not—so I'm going to be patient with myself and make sure I continue to practice everyday.
If I stick to the plan, I might get the hang of it by the end of the year. Wouldn't know if I don't practice everyday though 😁
Goals for 2020
Learn 6 Jazz Standards to:
- Internalize guide tones, and chord changes.
- Practice different chord voicings on all 12 keys.
- Practice walking basslines on all 12 keys.
- Learn the lyrics, and sing along. (I tend to sing flat while playing.)
I've already started with autumn leaves, learnt the lyrics, and can play it in a couple keys too!
Last year I promised myself to spend more time with sheet music, and as a result I've gotten more comfortable transcribing simple music even though the original plan was only to practice reading sheet music. Now I don't want to stop that, so I decided to learn (and maybe memorize) a few more pieces from sheet music:
- Maple Leaf Rag – Scott Joplin, 1970.
- Prelude Op.28 N.9 (Raindrop) – Frederic Chopin, 1838.
- Sonata N.20 in G Major, Op.49 N.2 – Ludwig van Beethoven, 1796.
There's something about learning music from paper (not talking about lead sheets), because it forces me to absorb the underlying chords in a very different way than I would with lead sheets.