Avoid the “dark clouds” of discouragement while practicing music that is new to you- practice short sections (usually only one or two beats or so) at a (very slow) tempo that allows you to be totally in command of the musical ideas, just as is a virtuoso…Slowing down to find this tempo where you play the music virtuosically- completely under control- can help you break out of the discouragement brought on by “too-fast” practicing which yields bad attacks, wrong notes, visual confusion as to understanding the notation and musical ideas of the section, unmusical sounds…etc. You can instantly turn the tables on this negative experience by- you guessed it- slowing down and practicing short sections at a tempo where you again feel the pleasure of a nice tone, a good articulation, “even” technique, etc …important practice ideas for music at any stage of the learning process!

Some of the above is based on thoughts from Lon Sherer “Practicing, A Liturgy of Self-Learning” (American Music Teacher, January 1987).

Practice in a way that is “ear-driven”, that is, every note and every sound you play should be “pre-imagined”. In repeatedly listening to many great orchestral and solo performances by a variety of instrumental and vocal artists, internalize great tone colors and articulations that you find to be beautifully played. As you practice, then, try to produce these beautiful, imagined tone colors, and articulations, every time you play (“Hello body, this is ‘ear’ speaking, and HERE’S what I want this phrase to sound like!”). This is, of course, WAY beyond “pushing buttons”!