Re: [Harp-L] Deliberate Practice

[Elizabeth Hess <TinLizzie2009@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I put great faith in the assertion that skill with no (or minimal) 
talent trumps talent with no skill.  Since I consider myself minimally 
talented but quite determined, I'm counting on it, actually.

I've been playing harp for just a year and a half.  Last summer I 
worked my way up to an hour and a half of practice a day, but then I 
burned out and didn't want to practice at all.  My practice regimen is 
as much a work in progress as my actual playing:  Ya gotta set a pace 
you can maintain.


In another context, I came across this most excellent piano pedagogy 
page:

http://www.serve.com/marbeth/piano.html

Within the site, I particularly recommend the page of "Q&A for all the 
students and parents/spouses of piano students":

http://www.serve.com/marbeth/consumer_QA.html

My favorites are 123, 179, and 195, plus her short page on practicing 
efficiently, which talks about allocating parts of a practice session 
into technique (e.g. scales), harmony, sight reading, literature, and 
fun(!):

http://www.serve.com/marbeth/efficient_practice.html

I would quote it here, but there's a copyright notice at the bottom, so 
a link will have to serve.


obHarmonica:  Sure, it's about piano, but I have been able to apply 
much of Ms. Lewis's principles to my harp practice.  The "Deliberate 
Practice" stuff emphasizes focusing and working on the stuff where the 
most work is needed, but neglects the fun part.  I do better with some 
of each.  YMMV, of course.

Elizabeth