Learning as Recharge

A Restful Listening Practice for Exhausted Days

This exercise helps you continue learning through rest, listening, and directed attention—even when you do not have the energy to play. You can do this with your head on a desk or lying down, or whatever position feels most restful to you. 

What You’ll Need

• The piece you are currently learning
• The correct level or part visible in front of you
• A recording or demonstration of the piece
• A comfortable place to rest at the piano

Step 1: Set Up the Music

Open the piece you are currently learning.

Place the music where you can see the level or part you are working on.

You will not need to play yet.

Step 2: Find a Resting Position

Fold your arms on the piano and rest your head on your elbows.

Allow yourself to relax.

You may gently tilt your knees from side to side in a slow, rhythmic movement.

For some people, a small movement makes resting easier. For others, being still feels more comfortable.

Choose whichever option requires the least effort.

Step 3: Let Listening Count as Practice

For this exercise, you do not need to produce sound.

Your practice is to rest and listen.

You will hear the music several times, with a different listening focus each time.

You do not need to notice everything at once.

Step 4: Listen for Direction

Listen to the part you are learning.

Notice the direction of the notes.

Ask:

• Are the notes moving upward?
• Are they moving downward?
• Are they staying the same?

Listen again and continue noticing the direction.

Step 5: Imagine the Movement

As you listen, imagine how the music would feel to play.

Notice:

• Which hand would be playing?
• Which fingers might be moving?
• When would each hand begin or stop?

You do not need to move your hands unless you naturally want to.

Simply imagine the movement.

Step 6: Listen for Sound and Silence

Listen to the music again.

This time, notice:

• Where do you hear sound?
• Where do you hear silence?
• How long do the sounds and silences seem to last?

Allow the rests to become part of what you hear.

Step 7: Listen for Changes in Volume

Listen again and notice the volume.

Ask:

• Where does the music become louder?
• Where does it become softer?
• Does the volume remain the same anywhere?
• How does the change in volume affect the character of the music?

Step 8: Listen to Each Part Separately

When possible, listen to the lower and upper parts separately.

First, listen to the left-hand or lower part.

Notice:

• The direction of the notes
• Changes in volume
• Sound and silence

Then listen to the right-hand or upper part and notice the same things.

Step 9: Listen to the Parts Together

Listen to the complete section again.

See whether you can hear what each part is doing while they play together.

You might notice:

• The direction of both parts
• Changes in volume
• Moments of sound and silence
• Which hand is more active
• How the two parts relate to each other

You may listen for several features at once, or choose only one.

Step 10: Let the Exercise Be Enough

You do not have to sit up and play afterward.

Listening with attention is the practice.

You have spent time becoming more familiar with:

• The shape of the music
• The movement of the hands
• The rests
• The volume
• The relationship between the parts

That learning can support you the next time you return to the piano.

Apply This to Another Piece

To use this exercise with a different song, listen several times and choose one focus for each repetition:

1. Direction: up, down, or the same
2. Fingers and hands
3. Sound and silence
4. Changes in volume
5. The left-hand part
6. The right-hand part
7. Both parts together

You do not need to complete every listening focus in one practice session.