Randy Hoexter

Author: Randy

  • The Three Elements of Practice Part III

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    So far, we have examined the concepts of repetition and reinforcement, which make learning possible by imprinting the knowledge and making it “stick.” The third element of this triangle involves testing and experimenting with the things we have practiced. Learning the limits of our preparation is how we make our learning stronger and more useful.…

  • The Three Elements of Practice Part II

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    Reinforcement Last time we discussed repetition, the act of playing the same passage over and over in a short time-span. In this article, we will discuss the second element in successful practice. As we learned in part 1, repetition is effective for a limited time; after this short period, continuing to repeat can waste time…

  • The Three Elements of Practice Part I

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    Practicing is a personal activity; no two people are the same, and this also goes for practice. However, there are some fundamental forces that are part of the learning experience for all of us. Learning to use and balance these processes will lead to successful and efficient use of our precious time. In this series, we…

  • Dealing with Disappointment

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                        The following is an essay about dealing with career setbacks, based on my  own experiences. As I continue to learn about the artist’s journey, I will share my discoveries and thoughts with you.

  • Piano Basics: Tips for Developing a Fingering

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      When learning a new passage, it can be necessary to create a fingering. This can be for several reasons: the music doesn’t have any fingering,  is an 0riginal composition, was transcribed from a recording, or has awkward fingerings written. Often the difference between effortless, smooth playing and awkward, inconsistent delivery is in the fingerings.…

  • Don’t Read This.

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                            And don’t think about it either. What we are thinking about when we do something (like play an instrument) makes all the difference in what happens. Think the wrong thing, and you can sound like you have never practiced a minute in your…

  • Basic Piano: Playing a Scale

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  • The Myth of “Free Time”

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                          “I can’t wait for a day off…” Ever find yourself saying this? I know I do, and it seems like it’s going to be blissful. I will finally get to relax, renew, clear my mind and be rested up for the next busy phase…

  • The Future Ain’t What It Used to Be

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    Preconception: an opinion about something that you form before you have a lot of information about it or experience of it   -Macmillan Dictionary We spend a great amount of time believing, talking about, and even trying to convince others about ideas that we really haven’t explored for ourselves. One of the most important of…

  • A Little Nudge

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                        The uses of positive feedback Most of us sincerely want to grow and change for the better, but often find ourselves frustrated and stagnant in our habits. Let’s take a look at how the mechanism of positive feedback can benefit us, getting us moving in…