The power of practice

The Age has published a useful article relevant to all musicians, particularly performing ones. Advice includes:

• Ensure you know the technical work, exercises and correct pieces to be performed, particularly for examinations.
• Check any special instructions and requirements for tests such as sight-reading, aural tests, transposition and general knowledge.
• Take time during a performance to check your instrument (not retune it!)
• Check you can play from memory without reference to a printed copy, if needed to.
• If you have the choice between a grand and an upright piano, play the one you are most used to practicing on.
• During practice, warm up with technical exercises, then work on any difficult passages in the pieces you are learning, slowly at first and then gradually up to performance speed.
• Perform in public when you can, as this helps to reduce nerves and build confidence playing in front of other people.
• Don’t neglect expression, rhythm and musical phrasing.
• Be confident!

Read the full article: The power of practice