Re: Playing FFR is like Riding a Bicycle
Some parts I agree with; others I don't.
Keeping your FFR skill is a LOT like working out. There's this strategy in swimming (and a lot of other sports, I'm sure) called tapering. Basically, before a big competition, for weeks you train hard, maybe gradually increase the difficulty of practices. Then starting a week or two before the competition, you level off the difficulty of practice until it's ridiculously easy. The idea is that you recover energy from not swimming as much, but you're on the very border between staying in shape and becoming out of shape.
The same thing applies to FFR. Think of it as a sport for your fingers. That's why some people have improvements after short breaks of a few days in length. I'm not sure why some people get better after long breaks (two weeks or longer); it shouldn't happen unless you've been playing similar rhythm games in the meantime.
About the piano/sightreading thing: this is also true, but only up to a point. FFR is based more on reaction than on muscle memory. No matter whether you're a novice pianist or a virtuoso, if you're playing a piece that's suitable for your level you're not going play your best performance the first time or even be anywhere close, because the muscle memory hasn't been built yet. (Sorry, no sightread AAAs.)
On the other hand, some people here sightread AAA FMOs. Of course, many of us can't, but consider this: if you're playing a song that you can control well (an FC with good PA, for example) - could be a VC, FMO, whatever - you can definitely come close to an AAA sightread. You can "read the notes" very well even though it's only your first time playing that song. That's pretty far from the average piano piece, where your first playthrough is going to be pretty crappy unless it's far too easy a piece for you.
Some parts I agree with; others I don't.
Keeping your FFR skill is a LOT like working out. There's this strategy in swimming (and a lot of other sports, I'm sure) called tapering. Basically, before a big competition, for weeks you train hard, maybe gradually increase the difficulty of practices. Then starting a week or two before the competition, you level off the difficulty of practice until it's ridiculously easy. The idea is that you recover energy from not swimming as much, but you're on the very border between staying in shape and becoming out of shape.
The same thing applies to FFR. Think of it as a sport for your fingers. That's why some people have improvements after short breaks of a few days in length. I'm not sure why some people get better after long breaks (two weeks or longer); it shouldn't happen unless you've been playing similar rhythm games in the meantime.
About the piano/sightreading thing: this is also true, but only up to a point. FFR is based more on reaction than on muscle memory. No matter whether you're a novice pianist or a virtuoso, if you're playing a piece that's suitable for your level you're not going play your best performance the first time or even be anywhere close, because the muscle memory hasn't been built yet. (Sorry, no sightread AAAs.)
On the other hand, some people here sightread AAA FMOs. Of course, many of us can't, but consider this: if you're playing a song that you can control well (an FC with good PA, for example) - could be a VC, FMO, whatever - you can definitely come close to an AAA sightread. You can "read the notes" very well even though it's only your first time playing that song. That's pretty far from the average piano piece, where your first playthrough is going to be pretty crappy unless it's far too easy a piece for you.
Comment