Useful Practice Tips

All practice time is not equal.  More can be accomplished in ten minutes than in 20 or 30.  How do you make better use of you practice time? Keep reading for some useful tips.

• Each time you sit down to practice, think about what your goals are for the session.  Pick a small goal that is achievable such as mastering a tricky rhythm or fingering.  
  
• Along the same lines, take the time to work on mastering difficult sections rather than just playing through the piece once or twice and calling it good.  You will see more improvement in a shorter amount of time with spot practicing.  
  
• Practice a new piece SLOWLY, and I mean what can seem painfully slow.  Although it is very tempting to play faster, you will be making more mistakes and likely will not notice them to correct them.  Nobody learns to ride a bike or drive a car at breakneck speed-same goes for piano. :)
  
• Make use of hands alone practice.  Removing on hand and focusing on a difficult fingering section can greatly aid in the mastery of that section.  After a few times through add the other hand and practice together SLOWLY (see above point).
  
• If you lose concentration and/or patience after 15 minutes, stop, and come back later.  Your practice will be more effective.  

All the above is true and helpful, but please don't think that you can't ever use practice time to play through the whole piece.  It is very helpful in tying to together the sections you've been working so hard on.  Also, most important, HAVE FUN! :) Play fun duets, sight read new pieces, review old pieces.  All playing will improve you ability and all work and no play will have you dreading you practice time and nobody wants that! :)