Practice Techniques: Troubleshooting
When Learning a new piece, or part of a piece, try....
* Using your sightreading techniques
* Playing slowly enough that you make no more than 2 mistakes
* Doing small sections at a time (1 phrase, 2 measures, depending
on difficulty)
* Doing each section 5 times in a row, using one of the following:
1) play hands separately, then together even slower once separate hands has improved
2) say note names aloud while playing
When a section has many errors, or errors keep recurring, try
* Practicing only that section, breaking into smaller chunks if needed
* Playing only the problem section, beginning right at the problem spot. Play until it improves, then back up one measure and play the larger section until it improves. Then add the measure following the problem spot and play this larger section until it improves.
* Playing the section 5-10 times in a row, using one of the following:
1) practice only the hand that is making most of the mistakes, then put hands together after the problem hand has improved
2) play hands together, but with the difficult hand louder
3) play the section (hands together or separately) VERY slowly aiming for 0 mistakes. Play it again and again, gradually increasing the speed (but never going fast enough to feel out of control).
4) play the section (hands together or separately) at varying speeds: VERY slowly, comfortable speed, & too fast for comfort. Do these in any order, then finish by playing one more time at a speed where you can comfortably play with 0-2 mistakes.
5) play only the difficult hand, in dotted rhythm 5 times, then with regular (written) rhythm 5 times. Then play as written, hands together.
6) have someone play one hand for you while you play the other so you can hear what it sounds like together. (Try playing the easy part while the other person plays the hard part, then vice versa.)
When having difficulty with the rhythm, try...
* Clapping the rhythm of the problem section before playing
* Practicing only that section (hands together or separately), using one of the following:
1) count aloud while playing
2) use a metronome (with 1 tick per quarter note or whichever note value is easiest for you to keep track of)
* Having someone play the hand for you while you play the other so you can hear what it sounds like together. (Try playing the easy part while the other person plays the hard part, then vice versa.)
When trying to pull together old (easier) and new (harder) sections, try...
* Using a metronome to help you play the entire piece at one consistent speed. (Be sure to go the speed at which you can play
the new/harder section with few mistakes.)
* Playing the entire piece all the way through 3 times at a comfortable speed
* Playing the entire piece all the way through 3-4 times, varying your speed each time (a bit too fast, very slow & focused, medium/comfy. Be sure to end with your medium/comfy speed.
* Playing through the entire piece 1-2 times at a consistent speed, focusing on making it musical (rather than the notes).
When trying to add details (dynamics, phrasing, legato/staccato, pedal), try...
* Focusing on only one detail at a time
* Playing only one section of the music, focusing on one detail. Then try larger & larger sections, still focusing on only that detail.
* Playing one section of the music while trying to do all details at once. Once you have gotten good at that section, try a larger
section, and so on.
* Listening to a recording of the music (if available) to hear the details in action.
* Using your sightreading techniques
* Playing slowly enough that you make no more than 2 mistakes
* Doing small sections at a time (1 phrase, 2 measures, depending
on difficulty)
* Doing each section 5 times in a row, using one of the following:
1) play hands separately, then together even slower once separate hands has improved
2) say note names aloud while playing
When a section has many errors, or errors keep recurring, try
* Practicing only that section, breaking into smaller chunks if needed
* Playing only the problem section, beginning right at the problem spot. Play until it improves, then back up one measure and play the larger section until it improves. Then add the measure following the problem spot and play this larger section until it improves.
* Playing the section 5-10 times in a row, using one of the following:
1) practice only the hand that is making most of the mistakes, then put hands together after the problem hand has improved
2) play hands together, but with the difficult hand louder
3) play the section (hands together or separately) VERY slowly aiming for 0 mistakes. Play it again and again, gradually increasing the speed (but never going fast enough to feel out of control).
4) play the section (hands together or separately) at varying speeds: VERY slowly, comfortable speed, & too fast for comfort. Do these in any order, then finish by playing one more time at a speed where you can comfortably play with 0-2 mistakes.
5) play only the difficult hand, in dotted rhythm 5 times, then with regular (written) rhythm 5 times. Then play as written, hands together.
6) have someone play one hand for you while you play the other so you can hear what it sounds like together. (Try playing the easy part while the other person plays the hard part, then vice versa.)
When having difficulty with the rhythm, try...
* Clapping the rhythm of the problem section before playing
* Practicing only that section (hands together or separately), using one of the following:
1) count aloud while playing
2) use a metronome (with 1 tick per quarter note or whichever note value is easiest for you to keep track of)
* Having someone play the hand for you while you play the other so you can hear what it sounds like together. (Try playing the easy part while the other person plays the hard part, then vice versa.)
When trying to pull together old (easier) and new (harder) sections, try...
* Using a metronome to help you play the entire piece at one consistent speed. (Be sure to go the speed at which you can play
the new/harder section with few mistakes.)
* Playing the entire piece all the way through 3 times at a comfortable speed
* Playing the entire piece all the way through 3-4 times, varying your speed each time (a bit too fast, very slow & focused, medium/comfy. Be sure to end with your medium/comfy speed.
* Playing through the entire piece 1-2 times at a consistent speed, focusing on making it musical (rather than the notes).
When trying to add details (dynamics, phrasing, legato/staccato, pedal), try...
* Focusing on only one detail at a time
* Playing only one section of the music, focusing on one detail. Then try larger & larger sections, still focusing on only that detail.
* Playing one section of the music while trying to do all details at once. Once you have gotten good at that section, try a larger
section, and so on.
* Listening to a recording of the music (if available) to hear the details in action.