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How to Practice Any Piece Like a Pro: Tips to Learn Songs Faster

Writer's picture: Gabriele SuaresGabriele Suares

Updated: Nov 13, 2024

Struggling to learn new songs? Discover step-by-step strategies to break down and master any piece of music.


Learning a new piece of music can be both exciting and challenging. Whether it’s a classical composition, a pop song, or a jazz standard, how you practice makes all the difference in how quickly and well you can master it. Here are some tried-and-true methods to effectively learn and practice any piece you want to conquer.


1. Break the Piece into Sections

One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to play a piece from start to finish, especially if it’s complex. The best way to practice is to break it down into small sections.

  • Start with the Hardest Part: Don’t just practice the beginning. Identify the tricky spots and start there. Mastering difficult sections early on makes the rest of the piece feel easier.

  • Work in Short Phrases: Instead of tackling a whole page, focus on a few measures at a time. Once you’ve nailed those, move on to the next section and gradually piece everything together.


2. Practice Hands Separately

For pianists and other instrumentalists using both hands, it’s helpful to break the work down and practice each hand (or part) separately.

  • Right Hand First: Focus on playing the melody or the more complex part with your dominant hand.

  • Left Hand Second: Once you’re comfortable, switch to the other hand (or accompaniment) and make sure the rhythm and notes are solid.

  • Put It Together: Only after both hands are confident should you try playing the piece hands together.

3. Slow Practice is Key

Practicing slowly is one of the best ways to ensure accuracy and develop muscle memory. While it may feel like you’re moving slower, this method will help you learn the piece more thoroughly.

  • Use a Metronome: Set the metronome to a slow tempo, and make sure each note and rhythm is played accurately.

  • Gradually Speed Up: Once you feel comfortable, increase the tempo in small increments until you reach performance speed.


4. Use a Variety of Rhythms

One creative approach is to use rhythmic variation to overcome difficult passages. Play tricky sections in different rhythmic patterns to train your fingers and brain to handle the difficulty better.

  • Try Swinging the Rhythm: Play the passage with a long-short rhythm (like a jazz swing), which helps improve flexibility.

  • Practice Dotted Rhythms: For example, if the notes are even, play them with dotted eighth-sixteenth note patterns to add variety.

5. Focus on Dynamics and Expression Early

Many people leave dynamics (louds and softs) and expression (phrasing, articulation) for later, but incorporating them from the beginning makes the piece feel more musical and connected to your emotions.

  • Add Expression as You Learn: Don’t wait until you can play it perfectly. From the start, practice with crescendos, decrescendos, and other expressive elements.

  • Focus on Phrasing: Try to understand how each phrase connects to the next, making sure it sounds cohesive even as you practice in sections.


6. Record Yourself

Recording yourself can be eye-opening. You’ll hear mistakes, inconsistencies, and areas that need improvement that you might not notice while playing.

  • Audio Recording: Set up your phone or a recorder and listen back to your practice session to identify sections where you might rush or drag.

  • Video Recording: If possible, record yourself on video. You’ll be able to see your posture, hand position, and other technical aspects that might affect your playing.


7. Don’t Always Start at the Beginning

When practicing, avoid the temptation to always start from the top. This leads to neglecting the later parts of the piece, which often end up less polished.

  • Start in the Middle: Pick a random section or the part you know least well and begin there. You’ll end up with a more even performance.

  • Backtracking Method: Start a few measures before the difficult part to connect it smoothly with the easier sections.


8. Practice Away from Your Instrument

Mental practice can be just as effective as physical practice. Take some time to go over the music in your head or study the score without your instrument.

  • Visualize Playing: Imagine yourself playing the piece, visualizing the keys or notes under your fingers. This strengthens your memory and helps you understand the music better.

  • Analyze the Structure: Think about the form, harmonic structure, and key changes. Understanding the piece intellectually helps with memorization and expression.


Final Thoughts:

Practicing pieces efficiently requires patience, discipline, and strategy. By breaking the music into sections, practicing slowly, focusing on dynamics early, and using tools like recordings and mental practice, you’ll be well on your way to mastering any piece you want to learn. Remember, quality practice always beats quantity!

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