During the lessons the accent is on:

• demonstrating how to increase brain activity
• applying relaxation techniques
• stimulating your creativity to find solutions
• bringing about greater insight into the process of practicing
• developing self-awareness as regards what you can or cannot achieve
• timely recognition of problem areas

Making music is fun!  True, but when you decide to make music your profession you will also encounter some obstacles that need to be overcome.

You are following your heart and that alone indicates that you are a driven person.  Talent and ambition, after all, go hand in hand.

While you are studying at the conservatory, you are also expected to present yourself, regardless of your being in the middle of the learning process.  A stressful routine is therefore unavoidable.

Your ability to neutralize this stress comes under pressure.  You run the risk of adopting a hurried, superficial style of practice, with repetition the most eye (ear) catching aspect.  Sometimes, without even realizing it, you find yourself accepting something which is not yet tailor-made.  By force of repetition, your capacity to find creative solutions – that is to learn – regresses.  Not allowing enough time to digest new input reduces your capacity to assimilate.

My experience shows that finding the peace and quiet to practice greatly enhances productivity.  Again, it is a question of balance.  The Integrated Practice exercises stimulate brain activity during practice while, at the same time, the associated instruction concentrates on making sure you maintain a state of relaxation.  Repetition plays a prominent role in this method too, but in a different, ever-changing way so that you continue to stay alert.

Every quarter of an hour that you spend practicing according to this system will bear fruit.  That is for sure.  And what is more, if you do the exercises properly, your playing will improve noticeably!