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!
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2 thoughts on “The 3 Essential Go-Tos in Your Piano Practice”
Well said. The first two are exactly what I tell people who ask, and are the first advice I got as a piano student.
As to number 3, there can be differences depending on how good your technique is and how hard the piece is. Why? Because at earlier stages with harder pieces almost everything is an issue. As the years go by, or decades, the issues/problem areas of a score narrow sharply.
Thank you!