PRACTICE TIPS #14: Practicing for a Performance

[Brent Hugh <bhugh@griffon.mwsc.edu>]

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PRACTICE TIPS #14: Practicing for a Performance

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Preparing several pieces for a performance is a particular challenge.  As 

you get close to the performance, the challenge is to



   1. Keep carefully reviewing and improving ALL the details

      in ALL the pieces you are preparing (that is, the "parts")



   2. Do this without losing sight of the big, overall musical

      gestures and musical flow of the pieces (that is, the "whole")



Your practice time is limited, and it is very important--especially when 

nearing a performance--to spend some of your practice time on both the 

"parts" and the "whole" of your pieces daily.  Don't neglect either one!



Here is one good way to practice a piece that is nearing performance.  This 

practice method gives a good balance between practicing the "parts" and the 

"whole":



    1. Divide the piece into small sections (say, phrases)



    2. Go through all the sections in the piece using this procedure:



         a. Look over the score for that section carefully.



         b. Play the section by memory (cover the music or put it

            out of sight if you are inclined to peek).



         c. If the section went flawlessly, go on to the next section.

            Otherwise, repeat the section until it is flawless.



         d. Don't spend too much time on any one section. If, because

            of mistakes, you have to repeat a section more than two

            or three times, then

                * slow the tempo of that section, or

                * divide the section into smaller, more manageable sections, or

                * play the section with each hand alone



       3. After going through all the sections of the piece

          this way, then play the whole piece once straight through.





Happy Practicing!



--Brent



P.S. Please remember that PRACTICE TIPS consists of *practical* tips for 

practicing.  Just reading these tips will not help you a bit--you must TRY 

THEM in your own practice. So--try this tip in your next practice session, 

and let me know how it went.



NOTE to my own students: Yes, you can consider this an assignment!



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PRACTICE TIPS is by pianist, teacher, composer, and internet nerd

Brent Hugh.  Brent knows about practicing mostly because he *does*

it, and in fact is toddling off to do some of it just about now . . .



Thanks to the many people who have written to say PRACTICE TIPS has

been helpful.  I always like to hear what you think of these

ideas and how they worked for you!



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