Effective practice is a key to faster progress. it is important to focus on how to practice, not just what to practice. The following core principles are useful:
- Frequent short practice is much more efficient than longer inconsistent sessions. I.e. 15-20 mins daily is better than one or two long sessions per week.
- Breaking the piece down into smaller sections, doing hands separate work prevents frustration and makes the learning process more achievable.
- Minimize distractions by having a focused time for practice. Keep devices away or in another room.
- Practice a passage very slowly to ensure accuracy, and then speed it up to a faster tempo to build dexterity. Alternate between these two speeds to reinforce both precision and fluidity.
- Focus on the hardest part first. Identify the most challenging section in the piece and dedicate a significant portion of your practice time there.
- Practicing on a slow and steady beat helps build accuracy for notes, rhythms, articulations, dynamics, etc. Slow deliberate practice allows the brain to process each movement and sound correctly. When a mistake occurs, it’s a signal to slow down even more.
- Purposeful practice is very important. Instead of mindlessly playing a piece from beginning to end, students should focus on specific sections, techniques, or musical elements.
To sum up, good practice habits help accelerate your progress and achieve your goal quicker.
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