Sometimes a pianoless rehearsal is just what you need.
I’m reviving a practice I last regularly committed to pre-2020, of having one 2-hour rehearsal per month with the piano closed. It’s a challenge for everyone, but in the best possible ways.
Don’t misunderstand – the piano is an essential tool for effective teaching, in my experience in the choral classroom. It’s usually the most efficient way to demonstrate, to double-check, to teach, to help.
But consider the benefits.
For me, the conductor:
- it challenges my ears.
- it eliminates a physical barrier between me and my students.
- it kickstarts my efforts to wean them off piano help.
For my students:
- it increases accountability.
- it lets them really hear what’s happening around them.
- it reminds them of where they’re going (and where they are in relation to that goal).
- it’s a fun change
I don’t want to to every rehearsal pianoless. But once a month feels exactly right to me; I’m already looking forward to the last Thursday in October.