SEVEN SUGGESTIONS TO HELP PROMOTE EFFICIENT PRACTICE FOR PIANO PLAYER

p/s: Can be applied on other instruments too.

1. Practice dynamics backwards. Begin first with the peak of the phrase and work on the diminuendo.

2. Practice phrasing over the bar-line. Count 2-3-4-1 or use similarly the wording "and-go-to-here"

3. Begin at the end of technically difficult passage or a run. Then add on groupings or sections before one by one until the student plays the entire passage.

4. Practice crecendos to the climax by imagining that one is adding onion-skins of souund. The same technique may be used in practising from the climax through the diminuendo.

5. Isolate and practice all sudden changes in a work to be sure that they are not luke-warm.

6. Remember to use "delayed continuity" as a practice technique. Go through the procedure of plan, play, criticise with each phrase.

7. Use the "sandwich method" of practice to be able to play a work or spot perfectly the first time.
First, practice the difficult spots of a work. Then, play something else. Now return to the work and play it giving yourself only one chance. If necessary, repeat this procedure several times during a single practise session."