You just got a new piece at your lesson! Now what?

Let’s say you want to have the assignment learned well by your next lesson. Maybe it’s the whole piece, but it could also be a smaller section that is assigned. Here are some steps you can take to be effective in your practicing:

Plan to practice the piece EVERY DAY!
On the first day, look it over carefully. What key is it in? What is the hand position? Are there tricky rhythm spots (write out the counting on those and try tapping it). Practice hands separately. If there are hard spots, isolate those until you can do them well.
Even before putting hands together, play with dynamics (p, mp, mf, f, crescendos etc) and pay attention to rests, accidentals, and articulation (like slurs and staccatos)
Divide the piece into sections that are small and start work with hands together. It’s o.k. to go slowly. Pay attention to the detais, be as accurate as possible. For example, do measures 1-2 until you can do it perfectly. (go slowly enough so that you can). It might take 5 times or 10 or maybe just 3.
Gradually play faster (if you can keep it accurate). Use the metronome to be methodic about going gradually faster. Work on one small section at a time. You might play the “Line Game” where you have to play the line perfectly. If you make a mistake you start over. It’s fair to go a little slower with the metronome. (M&Ms or Kix or Cheerios or small stickers when a line is mastered works well!) I like to write my metronome speeds on my music. It is very gratifying to know that once 50 was really hard, but now I can do it at 100!
If you have 3-4 new pieces during the week, follow this same process with each piece. Target having the assigned portion completed on your 3rd or 4th day of practice during the week. Then, you can solidify it on the remaining days before your lesson.

Students can ask themselves questions which will help make practice more effective such as, “Which part of the piece was the hardest?” “How could we divide this piece into sections—-and then you just work on one or two sections today?” (parents can ask students these questions too!)

For new piano students, the following ideas can be hepful during practice

Clap and count the rhythm
Tap correct fingers on the piano
Name the note letters while you play
Count aloud while you play
Sing while you play
Hands separately

The value of slow practice

Slow practice allows the student to process detais. I’ve noticed this in my own practicing. I can save myself so much practice time if I slow down and notice EVERYTHING. A good plan is to play slowly, play medium, play fast (even if you make mistakes), go back to medium and then slowly (with lots of accuracy).

Varying the style

Another way to change up practicing is to vary the touch or the volume. Play the section with all staccato notes or all legato notes. Play it in a different octave for a different sound. Play it loudly or very softly.

Appreciation

When I was a child, I valued my parents praise and enjoyment for my practicing. I often practiced before school when my parents were still in bed, but my mom would mention how much she enjoyed my music. That was very motivating for me. Little notes on pillows expressing how proud you are of your child’s music work and efforts is a nice touch.

Regular Daily Practice Time

Having a regular time when practice is expected is so helpful for developing good practice habits. Some students thrive with charts or stickers. For the past almost two years, I have been practicing about 10 hours a week on the organ. I try to get it done first thing in the morning before other things take over my day. I record my time each day and sum it up so I have a running tally. I love seeing how much time it took me to get where I’m at now.

What are your ideas? What has worked for you? Please share below!