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Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. In my years of teaching, I’ve encountered countless piano students who make the same mistakes over and over again. These errors are so common, and they can hold back your progress if you don’t address them. If you can recognize and avoid these mistakes, your playing will improve significantly. Here are five of the most frequent piano practice mistakes and the best ways to fix them.

1. Correcting, but Not Solidifying Your Progress

One of the most common mistakes pianists make is thinking that correcting an error is enough. You may fix a problem once, but if you don’t solidify that correction, it’s likely to resurface. To really make a lasting change in your playing, you need to practice the correction over and over again until it feels completely natural.

The key to solidifying a correction is repetition. But don’t just repeat it mindlessly—make sure you’re playing comfortably. Sit comfortably and ensure that your shoulders are relaxed. Play the passage until it feels effortless. This is where most pianists fall short: they think they’ve corrected something, but then, when they come back to it later, they slip back into old habits.

Here’s how to tackle this: Once you’ve corrected a mistake, go back a little before that passage and play through the section again, then a little further back, and eventually play from the beginning. By doing this, you’ll reinforce your new way of playing and avoid slipping back into your old habits.

2. Practicing Too Large a Section at Once

Another common mistake is trying to work on too large of a section at one time. When you try to refine an entire phrase or a large chunk of music, it becomes difficult to pinpoint exactly where things are going wrong. Plus, by the time you’ve finished the section, it’s hard to remember where the issues were, let alone fix them effectively.

Instead of practicing long sections, break them down into smaller, more manageable parts. This will allow you to focus on exactly what needs attention and refine things to the point of mastery. Once you’ve nailed the smaller sections, then you can start putting them together.

3. Practicing Too Fast

I can’t emphasize this enough: slow down your practice! Too many people rush through pieces because they want to play them faster. But this is a recipe for insecurity in your playing. You need to find the tempo at which you can play relaxed with security, even if it feels ridiculously slow. This is essential, especially when you’re working to refine your music.

Practicing slowly gives you the opportunity to gain confidence in your playing. It allows you to work through tricky passages without feeling rushed. When you’re comfortable playing slowly, speeding up becomes a natural progression. But if you always push yourself to play faster than you’re ready for, you’ll never achieve true security in your playing.

4. Not Having Clear Objectives

A big mistake many pianists make is practicing without a clear goal in mind. Are you trying to improve your left-hand technique? Bring out the melody more? Fix a fingering issue? If you don’t know exactly what you’re trying to achieve, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Make sure you have a clear objective for each practice session and know exactly what you’re focusing on at any given moment. This will guide your practice and make it more effective. Whether you’re reviewing, memorizing, or working on a specific technique, knowing your goal is key to achieving it.

5. Not Practicing Performing

This is another mistake that many pianists make: not practicing performing. Playing in a practice session is different from playing in a performance. To simulate the feeling of a performance, set yourself up as if you were actually going to perform. Record yourself on your phone or other device, imagine an audience, and don’t stop playing once you start. This will help you practice staying focused and calm during a performance, and it will expose any areas that might need more work. Don’t just practice in isolation—make sure you also practice performing. Ideally, you can set up small performances for family members or good friends to get the feel of things before venturing to more challenging situations. This will give you the confidence you need when it’s time to play for an audience.

By addressing these mistakes and implementing these strategies, you’ll see a big improvement in your playing!

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. When it comes to piano practice, there are countless techniques you can use to improve your playing. Whether it’s practicing with a metronome, developing a system for sight reading, or simply adding variety to your repertoire, there’s always something to work on. But today, I want to focus on three fundamental strategies that are especially useful when you’re having trouble with a specific piece or passage. If you find yourself stuck or struggling with a part of a piece, these three go-to practices are guaranteed to help you overcome those hurdles and improve your performance. Let’s dive into them.

1. Slow Down Your Practice

This might sound like an obvious tip, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to solidify your playing. When you’re struggling with a passage, try slowing down. When you play slowly, you force yourself to concentrate on every note and every detail of your technique. You won’t be able to rely solely on muscle memory. Take the time to look at the score, lift your foot off the pedal, and really engage with the music. Using a metronome can be helpful here. The key is to make sure you’re playing with full awareness. It may feel a bit challenging at first, but slow practice is one of the best ways to refine your playing.

2. Work Hands Separately

Try practicing hands separately. This is a technique you’ve likely used when first learning a piece, but it’s worth returning to even after you’ve been playing through the music for a while. By working on each hand separately on key sections, you can give your brain the space to focus on each hand’s specific movements and nuances.

If you’re having trouble getting both hands together smoothly, practicing each hand on its own can help you build confidence and accuracy. Once each hand is comfortable on its own, putting them back together will feel much more natural. If you’re finding it difficult, don’t hesitate to break things down further. The more solid you are individually with each hand, the more success you’ll have when they come together.

3. Break It Down into Smaller Sections

Finally, when you’re having difficulty with a larger passage or a tricky section, break it down into smaller chunks. Sometimes, trying to tackle an entire section all at once can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on just a few measures, or even a couple of notes at a time. This focused approach allows you to make incremental improvements, building comfort and confidence step by step.

In my own practice, you might even hear me focusing on just two notes at a time—making sure I’m comfortable with the transition from one note to the next before moving forward. It may sound strange, but this level of attention to detail helps me build ease and control in my playing. Mastering small chunks leads to mastery of the entire piece.

The Bottom Line

Remember, these are tried-and-true methods that can be applied to any piece you’re working on. Even legendary pianists like Rachmaninoff practiced slowly and carefully. Ruth Slenczynska, who was a teacher of mine who had the privilege of studying with Rachmaninoff, once recalled an experience when she was waiting outside his studio. She heard someone playing inside and assumed it was a beginner due to the very slow tempo. To her surprise, when the door opened, she discovered that it was Rachmaninoff himself, practicing with incredible slowness and precision. This slow, deliberate approach to practice was a hallmark of his method, and it was key to his exceptional mastery of the piano.

So, the next time you’re facing a difficult section, give these techniques a try. Slow down, work each hand separately, and break passages into manageable chunks. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can gain control and comfort in your playing!

If you’re serious about taking your piano playing to the next level, click the link below for more resources on learning music, refining your skills, and performing with confidence. I’m here to help!

Welcome to LivingPianos.com! I’m Robert Estrin. Can a supportive community improve your piano playing? This is a question I feel strongly about, as I’ve experienced it firsthand. My journey in music began at a young age, and the support of a community played a huge role in my development. It all started in my father’s music classes, where I had the privilege of not only receiving one-on-one lessons but also participating in weekly classes with other students.

The Power of Playing Together

In those classes, we would play for each other, discuss music theory, and learn from one another. It was a truly invigorating experience. I can’t begin to tell you how instrumental those sessions were for my growth as a pianist. The camaraderie of playing alongside other students, the support we gave each other, and the opportunity to learn from our peers created an environment that was incredibly motivating and inspiring. That sense of connection and shared purpose pushed me to refine my playing and keep striving to improve.

The Impact of Masterclasses

My experiences didn’t stop there. As I continued my studies, I was fortunate to have more opportunities to learn from some truly incredible musicians. In high school, I spent time at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, where I had the chance to participate in masterclasses for both piano and French horn. These masterclasses were not only an opportunity to work with brilliant artists, but they also gave me a chance to see how the masters interacted with their students.

The group dynamic in these sessions was just as valuable as the individual lessons. Watching how the teachers guided their students and observing their progress was eye-opening. It allowed me to gain insights that I wouldn’t have had in a one-on-one lesson. A light bulb would often go off in my head as I connected with the struggles and breakthroughs of others. The support from fellow students, as well as the shared learning experience, was incredibly valuable. It was truly transformational.

A Synergy of Growth

I’ve had the privilege of attending many masterclasses, including ones with Byron Janis at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, John Ogden, Ruth Slenczynska, Constance Keene, and James Tocco. Each of these experiences reinforced the power of community in music. There’s a special synergy that happens when a group of musicians come together to learn and grow. It’s not just about individual feedback or learning new techniques; it’s about the collective energy and inspiration that arises from being part of a community.

Building a Community to Transform Your Playing