How Do I Practice Piano? Q&A | Tiffany Vlogs  

My quarantine practice routine: 1: watch Tiffany 2: get motivated 3: play 2-3 hours 4: get on with the rest of my day 5: (late evening) remember how much I accomplished that day and how cool it is to play the piano and play my favourite parts one more time

Not sure exactly the reason why, but Tiffany's videos reduce my anxiety.

All questions: 1. 0:56 As a martial artist, I know constancy and practice is the key for everything. How many hours per day do you practice? I guess it depends on how many concerts you have programmed, but still... 2. 1:15 About how long do you practice before taking a break? Do you find it hard to keep the same level of focus throughout the day? I often find after the 4th hour or so, my focus deteriorates & my practice productivity goes way down. 3. 1:45 How do you exercise your pinkies? 4. 2:03 I also do self punishment when I make mistakes. How do I stop doing this? I tend to scrutinize my mistakes even if they're nag a big deal. 5. 2:32 How you deal with tiredness when you have to practice? I find difficult playing piano after all day doing stuff and being mentally tired. 6. 2:39 Do you ever practice away from the piano? Or thoughts on mental practice? 7. 2:57 What's the best way to practice octaves (the most effective and/or the most fun)? 8. 3:22 What do you do when you get frustrated? 9. 3:35 How to be more 'efficient' while practicing especially when there is lack of practice time? 10. 3:45 How much time do you spend practicing scales? Every day? 11. 4:30 When you practice, do you put in all your heart and emotion (like you do in concerts) or do you save that for performances? 12. 5:20 How do your neighbors cope with your practicing? Where there ever any times they complained about repetitive passages etc.? 13. 6:03 Do you practice when you are ill? And how do you find the motivation when you are not feeling good, tired or not able to concentrate? 14. 6:15 How do you ensure you have sufficient practice for each piece if you have multiple pieces in your repertoire? Because I will try to focus on practicing a piece at a time while neglecting other pieces. 15. 7:16 What's the importance of quality and of quantity in practice? And which one do you think is more important? 16. 8:04 When you are tired or not in mood to practice, do you practice or have a day free? 17. 8:20 How do you start practicing a new piece? 18. 9:33 How do you deal with a piece that you don't like or you don't want to play? 19. 9:55 How do you schedule practice around school and studying so that you have enough energy to practice? 20. 10:20 How do you structure your practice? Do you have a practice journal? 21. 11:16 How do you deal with getting bored of a piece or perhaps getting stuck on a difficult passage? Do you ever practice another piece at the same time so you can step away from the piece while still moving forward? 22. 11:25 Do you have a favourite warmup before practicing, if so, what kind of warmup? 23. 11:44 How do I curb frustration when practicing a piece and stay focused on it? 24. 13:59 What is your favorite time of day to practice and how do you maximize the quality and efficiency (sorry this is a terrible word to use for music) of your practice? 25. 14:17 Where do you get your sheet music from? 26. 14:29 What is the thought process you do through whenever you're having a regular practice session? 27. 14:57 Do you struggle sometimes to stay focused during practicing? Daydreaming at the piano... If yes, how you deal with it? 28. 15:31 Why do you practice? 29. 15:58 How long in advance do you practicing before a concert? 30. 16:40 Will you please explain and demonstrate what you mean by „dirty” and „muddy” and „clean” as they show up in most of your practice vlogs and I can't hear the difference.

I love this Conversations under the piano. It should be one per month 😄

how i practice ? me : "listening tiffany's video of her playing piano" me : "finish watching the video" always me : "woaw i work so hard"

Yeah. When I was a kid (50 years ago) I used to have my little "house" under the piano, too. 😎😎 This was cool.

Lol I have a lot of time to practice now with the quarantine

This is the first i see someone vlogging under a piano xD These answers are so interesting very nice video :)

Is it just me but is tiffany's voice is just sooooooo soothing?

You are defenitely one of the reasons I bought a keyboard even though it's not that good and I'm now playing the piano for 1 week now and I still have a lot to learn. You are a great person tiffanny and you always inspire people. God Bless and Take care❤️ Keep Striving❤️

It's an absolute credit to you that the videos in which you don't play or don't play much (like this one) are just as interesting and enjoyable as the videos where you just play. You make it all interesting!

Thank you for sharing. Your posts have been a real source of encouragement. Keep Striving! 👍😊

Tiffany I am so excited for you, you look so happy about the things happening and that makes me feel good :) it is important to stay positive during these insecure times and you make that happen for THOUSANDS of us!! Thank you, Tiffany 💝

Thank you answering my question about curbing frustration. I always overthink things now that I think about it. Love these Q and A's!

Love your Q & A vlogs! Looking forward to the 24/7 live concert. That's so cool that you're hosting! I'm so happy to see new doors opening for you lately! Also looking forward to your 200k celebration concert! Hang on tight and keep striving! 👍

Thank you, Tiffany. These tips are very very helpful! Stay safe, Stay healthy, and stride forward too !

I love how free Tiffany makes me free with regards to my own practice. Just enjoy playing, work through the difficulties, and keep practicing!

This is so helpful. Thank you for taking the time to post this. I agree with you on practice time. For focused short bursts of practice seem to work best.

Lookin' great T! Always wonderful to see you.

The lighting under the piano was amazing! So beautiful! Also, your piano playing appears so effortless and amazing! - - -an adoring fan

You inspire me so much, thank you for advices and help🥺🥺❤️❤️❤️

I watch your hands and fingers and I amazed the smoothness and accuracy and feel you have. Also the way you move your body, shoulders and head with power and delicacy. I guess that comes with years of practice and so much talent. It is Art in and of itself.

You are an inspiration for all of us. Bravo

I wish I had 10% of your energy. What a gift!

When I practice I do something I call negative punishment. It's like a punishment, but not really. For example: when I make a failure, I punish myself by doing like 10 times a scale or something, so I punish myself with something that's helping me, so it's a negative punishment. I think it is really effective, because every time you do something wrong, you learn sonething too. BUT the most important things is to have fun while practicing! remember yourself!

"Don't overthink" also saved me enormously from anxiety. DO is always more important than THINKING TOO MUCH. Answers lie in actions.

Loved the idea of recording under your piano! Thank you for sharing your thought process with everyone. PS: the quality of your videos (regarding technicalities) improves with every video!

Man, your skill as a pianist is amazing but what I really love about you is how down to earth you are. Keep it up Tiff!!!

This girl inspires me alote 💞

I think it was Rubenstein who said something like : If I miss an hour's practice, I notice it. If I miss two hours my wife notices it. If I miss three hours, the audience notices it." That's why he was Rubenstein and every one of us was NOT, and that's why Tiffany is Tiffany and the rest of us are not. I love that girl! Talent, dedication,and hard work. Not to mention yummy looks!

love's sorrow under the voice is the best thing

Congratulations Tiffany!!!❤️❤️

I like the chaotic energy in the video 😂

I really enjoy the honesty ... just the easy simple truth. It takes guts to break the "suffering yourself to perfection" stigma, sure everyone has their way, but some people (myself previously included) think you have to suffer beyond your willingness to get great results, when really it's the opposite - listening to what your body and mind actually can do and will do at any moment.

Congratulations on 200K, Tiffany!

Great fun with your Q & A always!

Thanks for a very fun and insightful Q&A Tiffany. It was funny seeing you under your piano - almost like you were making a fort! By the way, I watched your practice on Patreon and that piano is just so amazing!!!

I've been involved in music professionally for over 40years as a bass player, composer producer, I am a rock&roll hall of fame nominee and bass player magazine cover story, I stumbled over your clips, I dig watching them, its people like you that make me say that I am NOT a musician, but a guy with the knack to tinker on various instruments. you are a musician.... jus saying :) stay safe

I love the “circle” you mentioned. Yes! Also, 100% agree on the romantic approach to finding self-expression through really any music. :) I can’t wait for the live performance!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds solace in spending time under my steinway❤❤

Yesss I’m so glad you’re playing Scriabin Fantasie 😊

Glad to see you doing great at home and finding a new fun spot to do the vlog^-^

Thanks for the great tips Tiffany! Very useful. All in all a fun video too!

Ilysmmm... You inspire me Soo much ❤️❤️ I watched every single one of your videos. You are the only pianist I find so interesting. You are also sooo cute ✨💞❤️ I've been playing the pinao for 6 years. I hope I become like you🤗.. love from Malaysia🇲🇾

200K CONGRATULATIONS WOHOO

You are such a sweet person and so down to earth! Keep going! Good luck for your concert!!!!!!!!!!!! also... love the under the piano idea :p

Great idea filming under the piano, it is surprisingly interesting, the wood structure, the pedals and the carpet color! Well done!

Your work ethic is admirable!!! I’ve been playing flute for almost 16 years but I wish that I can play as beautifully as you do on flute!😊❤️

Since I have an audition coming up I've been practicing a lot but I'm also been feeling that I'm getting nothing done so I'm really happy you posted this!

Thanks. Several great tips for beginners there: Play when you have energy/focus (often that means mornings before school). Only play what you enjoy (and obviously don't force children to play anything they don't enjoy!). You don't need to practice more than 2 hours per day: quality over quantity. You don't need to warm up with scales (do something fun/interesting!) I 100% agree with all of your suggestions :)

such a good video, thank you !

What you said about practicing the Brahms concerto without knowing if you will actually perform it is such an important point! I've been dealing with quite a lot of anxiety the past 2-3 years since I have had a hard timing (and still am having a hard time) deciding what I actually want to do with my life and a thought that really helps for me is that there isn't such a thing as a wasted year, you always learn something! Also, Bach is indeed very good for warm-up!

You are amazing at piano!!! Keep up the great work

Great video. You are the reason that my standards have risen for my own playing. Thank you

Thanks Tiffany. I get inspired from you a lot!

Thank you very much, dear Tiffany!🌺😊 I enjoyed the Video in wo ways. First, it was very interesting and inspiring/informative. Second, it also showed a little bit of your life (in an authentic way, Mails, phonecalls, organisation, your creativity-idea with the under piano q&a etc.😉). Thank you dear Tiffany! It was much fun!❤😊

Thank you, you always motivate me to practice the best as I can. Also, I'm noticing that we have the same thoughts about practice routines, hours of practice and in general I can share almost all of your thoughts about music itself 🎼 Love from Italy 🇮🇹 ♥️ (also I can't wait for your livestream concerts)

Really admire! I used to learn to play the piano when I was a kid, but I quitted that..... soooo regret😣😣 luckily I am learning by myself in my high school time, and thank you for sharing these thoughts and shows!

Seeing people getting time to practice with quarantine and I still have to go too school lol Also thank you Tiffany for this useful video! (talking under the piano is also pretty cool)

Can’t wait to hear you play Scriabin’s Fantasie op.28.

How to strengthen your pinky? I got all excited - and then I saw Tiffany’s answer! 😂😂😂 Back to basic arpeggios for me I’m afraid! 😊

When I need to take a break from piano practice I watch Tiffany Poon videos 😄♥️

Amazing video, Stay safe!

So. How does it feel to get a pure metal head into classical music? For a few days now I'm exploring RU-vid. Listening to alot of your music as well as others. My respect for pianists and violinists skyrocketed the past days and I'm flabbergasted that I'm actually enjoying classical music so much. Thanks to you and other creators here on RU-vid for opening up my mind to this side of the musical world :)

Glad I saw this video after feeling discouraged/depressed from practicing piano lately. For the past month, I've been thinking if classical piano is not for me, especially since I've only played piano for 4 years (I prefer to play chords and play pop songs by ear since I don't favor reading notes that well). I'm also part of the School of Music at my University and I didn't really put as much effort as I expected in practicing piano with my other academic classes...but I think with quarantine and the school year coming to a conclusion, I'm gonna try practicing again with your tips/advice in mind. "Don't Overthink" was the best reminder I've heard in a while. Thanks Tiffany :')

200k subs CONGRATS!

Oltre che essere una grandissima pianista,sei di una simpatia immensa. Ti seguirò sempre!!!!

Great video! My Take-away: definitely I will follow Tiffany's advice on the nap before practice when coming home tired from work! (Pipe organ building is as hard as construction). Fun Fact: Speaking of naps and this video, I actually slept under our Grand for several weeks! I was 7 years old. We'd had a heavy earthquake with many aftershocks, and my dad decided that the safest place for me to sleep would be under the piano. I still crack jokes about "the poor young musician who was so down & out that he had to shelter under his own piano" 😜

Listening under is the best!

GRACIAS Tifanyy,saludos desde Argentina.

I could watch you play all day long hahahaha great idea of speaking under the piano and using the acoustic

When you hit 200K, you should have a fan concert in addition to your own! I would love to see that and maybe even do it!

rather cozy!!

Just found your channel!. Great content! :)

Nice place for relax. Seems very comfortable.

Thank you for always involving us. Now another question, perhaps you could do a very short video answering: How is your family? Are they healthy? Do they have enough medical supplies, masks etc?

I have followed you from child prodigy to the present day. Very special how you performed it!

I like how ballade is playing in the background

Omg love sorrow when you talk

On the next blog of you answering a number of questions, will you answer this: How often and where do you normally perform your public piano recitals? Because even though I have done my recitals at my house, I was thinking of doing my own recital for the public. Great piano skills and blogs!

Tiffany, you're my idol.. I want to be like you.. You're the best!! And you're under the piano😂😂

Great insight!

I need to stop playing videogames and learn the piano.

Why do I practice? Because I like the Scriabin Fantasie. 8:27 glad you see you do too. Ridiculous piece of music, but insanely beautiful!

16 seconds ago? Love your vids by the way.

You hit 200 K subs!

Great video, thank you. And also great colors ;-) Stay healthy!

Thank you very much for answering my question! After listeing to you I believe I could have made a better question, I am going to try next time if you make another video like this one.😓

I remember listening to my Dad tell stories of how he played under the piano while my grandmother practiced. This was in the 1940s.

I find the emotion and stuff just sort of creeps in on its own as I learn a piece, it's not really something I think about, it just sort of happens as my brain gets less and less busy with figuring out which notes I'm supposed to be hitting. Also those practice clips are seriously inspiring, and my appreciation for them knows no bounds. It's so rare to see such a high level musician start something from scratch, really reminds me that even when you know what you're doing, the first run's always rough, and it gets better.

lol! I was saying what a unique ceiling! so u were under ur piano, how sweet!!!

Notification squaaaad 🥰💞👼

So glad to hear about the potential live concerts. Don't have to be in Europe or travel to other cities for your concerts then^-^ Please post it once ticketing info is available. Looking forward~

Love's sorrow( liebesleid) on the background , got all my attention 😅

Could you play liebesleid on the live stream?? I love that piece. Gj

200k yayy

16:40 it’s called dissonance. It sounds as if the keys don’t really go together, but sometimes it might sound very nice! Look up ‘Arnold Schönberg’, he was the one who came up with this (after hundreds of years of people only playing ‘clean’ notes and scales) :) 🎶

200K subs wohoo

Thanks for answering my question🤧

hahaha what a cool intro, talk under the piano! haha