Comments on: What practicing piano teaches you about writing

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 00:58:00 +0000

In reply to Stasoucl.

Sorry you didn’t like it. I wasn’t taking an entirely literal-minded approach so I didn’t address such issues as posture or hand position. I didn’t mean to imply they’re not important — they’re just not what I chose to focus on.

By: Stasoucl

Stasoucl — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 16:46:00 +0000

This is a very disappointing blog. You didn’t talk about the practical connection between writing and practicing the piano, the tension in the shoulder, arm, wrist, hand and fingers. Make sure your children are taught correctly otherwise they will develop bad habits. This will also affect their writing.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:14:00 +0000

In reply to Marcy Rothenberg. I have a nephew who is heading for a career in ballet and I agree with you 100%, Marcy. When you do something for hours on end, day after day, you get a whole lot better at it.

By: Marcy Rothenberg

Marcy Rothenberg — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:07:00 +0000

Your column brought me back to the months and years following our daughter’s retirement from her first career (at age 20). She became a professional ballerina at 17 and, when she couldn’t land another contract upon leaving Milwaukee Ballet, she headed off to college. For the longest time thereafter, people would ask me, “So does she still dance sometimes?”
And the answer was simple: either you do this regularly and consistently and frequently (the Tony Bennett singing philosophy in action), or you don’t do it well, so don’t bother.

Not that she can’t walk into a ballet class and still look like she knows what she’s doing — but the precision and the flexibility and agility aren’t quite what they were when she did it for hours on end, day after day after day.

So it is with writing!

Just do it. And again. And again.

Thanks for your newsletter!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:02:00 +0000

In reply to Wendy. Thanks for your kind words, Wendy. My poor piano teacher has to listen to a 50something plunk out My Grandfather's clock. I'll be so glad when I get a bit more experience under my belt!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 23:00:00 +0000

In reply to J'aime. Yes, consistency makes a big difference. I think it eliminates the kinds of arguments you can have with yourself: Should I practice now or in half an hour? If you practice at the same time every day, you've already answered that question!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:58:00 +0000

In reply to Cheryl. Your high school English teachers may also have something to answer for, Cheryl! :-)

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:57:00 +0000

In reply to JanetO. I think the other thing about practice, Janet, is that it's not okay to practice once a week for four hours. Far better to do 30 minutes per day, even though that's less cumulative time!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:57:00 +0000

In reply to Crystal Nuding. Thanks, Crystal!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:56:00 +0000

In reply to Kelly Beischel. So glad you enjoyed it, Kelly!