“The outset of learning is when you instill enduring habits because the brain and body tend to imprint.”
–The Musician’s Way, p. 42
Many music students begin working on new pieces by doing heaps of sketchy run-throughs and sloppy repetitions.
Then, after forming error-ridden habits, they’re obliged to spend countless hours struggling in the practice room to overwrite their flawed programming.
A more masterful strategy is to start with accuracy and then continue being exact at each phase of ripening a piece.
Three Strategies to Instill Accuracy in Practice
Here are three key strategies to instill accuracy. All are described in detail in The Musician’s Way:
1. Select material that fits your level.
2. Divide pieces into digestible portions.
3. Learn portions systematically using deep practice strategies.
Of course, to discover interpretive ideas we might experiment freely and make some mistakes here and there.
But when we repeat material in practice, we must uphold expressiveness and precision and not repeat errors.
Then our performances will be likely to contain few glitches because our practice reinforced accuracy and beauty, and we didn’t introduce muddled habits.
The Musician’s Way articulates a comprehensive approach to artistic music practice that has received global praise.
Related posts
5 Benefits of Self-Recording
Beautiful Repetition
The Benefits of Accessible Music
Habits of Excellence
The Ultimate Practice Shortcut
Adapted from The Musician’s Way, page 22
© 2016 Gerald Klickstein
Photo © Volt Collection, licensed from Shutterstock