The triangle of learning

The learning triangle is a method that, if applied literally, will change the way you study piano forever.

At the center of this triangle there is a mental "space" where concentration is at its maximum and no negative thoughts are able to distract you or disturb your performance. 

The angles of the triangle represent the main elements of the study.
The first angle means to play the part in full.  By this we mean that if you are studying a piece the whole part is the whole piece, if you are studying maybe the first eight bars the whole part are these eight bars, or you are studying an exercise maybe it is the first part or a small section of this exercise. 
The second angle is playing at speed.  By this we mean playing at the actual speed at which you will perform the part, exercise or song. 
The third angle instead means to play correctly.  By this we mean playing the correct notes, with the correct rhythm, with the right dynamics and with all the musical and expressive elements.  

You should practice by considering only two angles.  For example let's take the top corner with the bottom right corner: you can play the whole part, the whole example and then play it correctly but you can't expect to play it at full speed.  So when you study you will have to concentrate only on these two aspects and consequently you should play at a reduced speed. 
In the second option you can play at full speed and then play correctly, but you can't expect to play at full speed without making any mistakes. So you'll need to take a smaller portion, small enough to get it all right at top speed. 
In the third case maybe you want to train the speed, so you want to play fast and you want to play the whole part quickly.  But you will have to sacrifice correctness, sacrifice something of the part because training speed requires a certain fluency, a certain spontaneity.  To develop it you have to try to play the whole part quickly but without letting yourself be conditioned by the fact that some notes or some passages will be bad or even wrong, some passages will be inaccurate or you will not have a good dynamics or a good sound.  Remember that when you train speed you are training your body to assume a certain state, a certain spontaneity.

So when you study you must always have the learning triangle in mind. In this way, before sitting down you will know exactely what you want to train, before any session you will be able to define how you want to practice and which aspect of those represented in the triangle you want to train more, and then continue to work in rotation. 

From today, therefore, start studying with greater awareness and concentration!



The most effective method for studying the piano


The corners represent the three main elements: 
 • Totality.  Play the part in its entirety (a piece, an exercise, a passage, etc.)
 • Velocity.  Play the part at the final speed (it doesn't matter if the piece is super fast or moderate) 
Accuracy.  Play the part without mistakes (without wrong notes, rhythm, dynamic, etc.) 

 Here are the rules of the method:
 • Center to all there is a state of absolute concentration and effortless execution
 • Only two corners at a time can be joined:
 - The whole part can be played correctly but not at the final speed
 - The performance can be fast and accurate but not in its entirety
 - The whole part can be played at arrival speed but not accurately
 • Learning will be more effective by defining one of these goals and practicing "in rotation"





Articles in the same category: