The practice gadgets I can't live without!
Jun 06, 2023
Hey guys, it’s Melody! As a full-time piano coach and church musician, I know firsthand how important it is to stay on top of your practice routine if you want to keep improving. Over the years, I've discovered a few practice gadgets that have helped me make getting better on the piano simple and even enjoyable. In this post, I want to share some of my favorite tools and resources with you!
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First up is my trusty metronome. This is a classic practice tool that's been around for centuries, and for good reason. The metronome helps me keep time and stay in rhythm, which is crucial for developing good technique and building muscle memory. I like to use the metronome app on my phone or this one I found on Google: https://g.co/kgs/CpjKdp
Next up is the Amazon Cube Timer. This is a simple but effective tool for keeping track of your practice time. On busy days, I like to set the timer for 15 or 5 minutes and then focus on practicing 1 new trick or 1 song during that time. This helps me stay focused and avoid distractions. I feel so accomplished and confident in my playing even if my practice time is short. You can find the Amazon Cube Timer here:
https://www.amazon.com/Minutes-Management-Adjusted-Included-Batteries%EF%BC%89/dp/B08L616W2M/ref=asc_df_B08L616W2M/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=475772620449&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17672869172787952878&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031807&hvtargid=pla-1059143457791&psc=1
For those of you who need to practice piano on the go or don’t have space for a regular sized keyboard, I highly recommend the iRig Keys Pro. This is a portable MIDI keyboard that connects to your phone, tablet, or computer and allows you to play and record virtual instruments and effects. It's a great way to take your practice sessions outside of the house. Check out the iRig Keys Pro here:
A simple way to take your playing to the next level is to start playing with drum loops. Playing along with perfect, syncopated rhythm will keep you from feeling like you need to over play or beat songs to death. It will help you develop a more smooth style in your playing and also make your tricks really stand out. https://loopsbycdubmobile.com/. Loops By C Dub is a collection of high-quality drum loops that you can use to practice your timing and improvisation skills. They’re inexpensive and can be easily downloaded to your computer, tablet or smart phone and played through your media player. I find it especially helpful that these loops repeat perfectly so you don’t have to catch up with a weird glitch if you practice for too long. If you haven’t experimented with playing with drum loops during service, a great place to start is playing with them on your own. If you want a more polished sound for your band during services, loops are the answer!
Sometimes I prefer to practice songs along with the original track. It helps me feel the dynamics of the other musicians and singers and better feel the flow of the song. I like to use a handy Google Chrome extension called Transpose. It allows you to slow down a YouTube video or transpose it so you can practice with the song in any key. This is a great tool for learning new songs for church, especially if you need to learn them in a different key than the original. It’s also a great tool to practice your ear training. Maybe you need to practice a tricky run, slowing down the tempo will help. You can get the Transpose extension for Google Chrome here: https://transpose.video/
So there you have it, my favorite practice gadgets that help me make getting better on the piano simple and enjoyable. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, I hope you find these tools helpful in your practice routine. Happy practicing!
Your Friend,
Melody
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