Effective Piano Practice: The Art of Slowing Down
Someone once made an analogy: practicing the piano is like doing laundry. When clothes are first worn, they look beautiful, but after some time and dirt, they need to be washed at home. Only when they are cleaned can they be worn again, otherwise they will become dirtier and dirtier. Practicing slowly is like carefully inspecting the clothes during washing, rubbing where it's dirty. I hope everyone can wash each piece of clothing clean and beautifully!
1. Slowing down makes you faster.
2. Practicing slowly once is better than practicing quickly ten times.
3. Being able to play slowly also requires skill.
4. If you can't slow down, it means you lack control.
5. Progress is achieved when a piece originally played quickly can be slowed down.
6. Smooth slowness is better than stumbling speed.
7. Slowing down to half the original speed counts as practicing slowly.
8. Slow down evenly and proportionally, avoiding fluctuations between fast and slow.
9. A metronome is a great aid for slow practice.
10. Slow practice is about concentration, not repetition.
11. Slow practice helps your brain and ears keep up with your fingers.
12. Singing while practicing slowly helps keep your mind engaged.
13. Slow practice can be tiring, so focus by practicing sections or parts.
14. Even when practicing slowly, try to maintain expression.
15. When sight-reading new pieces, slow down your hands while keeping your mind sharp to reduce mistakes and improve efficiency.
16. When reviewing old pieces, practice slowly more than quickly to prevent "sloppy" playing.
17. Memorize slowly for a more reliable memory recall.