What if your best piano progress happens away from the keys?

Hi Reader,

This time of year is prime vacation time, so a lot of people are away from their piano. I often get asked, "What can I do to practice when I'm not near a piano?"

This question came up recently in Piano with Rebecca B, my community on Skool.com. One member asked what he could do during a trip abroad — he’d be away from his instrument but wanted to keep learning and growing.

The answers were so good I had to share them with you too.

One member mentioned practicing with just your fingers on a table — imagining the sound, the motion, and the shape of the keys under your fingertips. This is difficult to do, but it accelerates your ability to mentally map what you're doing at the instrument. Which makes it easier to play better when you get back to the piano.

I recommended listening to recordings and marking up sheet music with fingerings and dynamic markings. This kind of deep listening (combined with mental practice) translates to more refined playing when you’re back at the keyboard.

Here's a short video I made about it last summer:

Finally, several members mentioned focusing on music theory and ear training. These aren’t just filler activities; they’re skills that directly improve your playing. And it can be hard to get them on the top of your list when you have a piano around to tempt you : )

Here are two tools I recommend:
👉 https://www.musictheory.net (They have a $5 app called Tenuto)
👉 https://www.meludia.com

And one last note — sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for your playing is rest. Taking a break gives your body and brain time to integrate what you've been working on. Many pianists find that when they return to the bench after time away, they can play with more ease and clarity than before.

So wherever you are this month, whether you're practicing actively or just taking it easy, I hope you find some joy and renewal in it.

Warmly,

Rebecca

P.S. We talk a lot about effective practice techniques like this inside Piano with Rebecca B.

And there's so much more — monthly talks on technique and artistry, live Q&As, and personalized feedback whenever you get stuck.

You can check it all out with a 7-day free trial. If it’s not a fit, you’ll get your money back — no questions asked.

👉 https://www.skool.com/pianowithrebeccab

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