Practice Principles for the Young Musician

Don't start at the beginning of a piece each time you sit down to practice it. Work on the passages that are giving you difficulty first. Play them slowly, so you can see where the problems lie. Break down a hard section into small bits, perhaps even to the point where you are playing single notes, and practice each several times until the music becomes easy to play. Then put the piece back together and gradually bring it up to tempo. 

 

If you can't play a measure or phrase, you shouldn't go on to play the rest of the piece until it has been mastered. Practice these “hard parts” or “yellow measures” as I call them very slowly and carefully. See if you can learn to play them perfectly and in tempo. Then see if the parts “stand up” under pressure by playing the whole piece or section straight through.

If you are having problem with tempo, practice with a metronome. Set it at a slow count at first, and then gradually increase the pulse until you arrive at the final tempo.

If you are making mistakes, it means that you are playing too fast. Slow down! Remember that if you play a passage wrong several times in a row, you are actually teaching yourself to play it incorrectly!

It is often easier to master difficult rhythmic patterns if you first play the passage on a single note. Add the melody after you have mastered the beat. Make sure you use the rhythm language we learned in the lessons (ta, titi, toa, etc.).

While the duration of the practice will vary from child to child and according to age and commitment, it is important to play daily, including on the day of a lesson. Sometimes, two or even more shorter practice sessions are better than one extended period. You can fit in some work before school, for example, then another short period later in the day, perhaps after supper so as not to conflict with other after-school activities. 

A tape recorder is a great tool to use when practicing. Use it to record yourself so you can hear problems, particularly regarding to tempo and interpretation, that you might otherwise miss.

Listen to a recording of the pieces you are learning. That increases 1) motivation and 2) the speed with which you learn.

End a practice session by playing beautifully a piece that you know well. Like your recital piece. Or something you learned and don't want to forget.