HOW TO PRACTICE

• Go as slow as you need to get everything correct.

Eg. Start with the tempo "quarter note equals 60 bpm"

• Always obey correct rhythm, articulation, and dynamics.
• Articulation = how you start and/or end a note
• > = accent, bring out through strength or separation
• . = staccato, short release, do not stop sound with tongue
• Release = to end note by letting go of air "tahh," not stopping air "tutt"
• ^ = marcato, accent plus staccato, strong and short
• = slur or tie
• - = tenuto; full value, bring out but not accent, heavier tongue
• Dynamics = change in volume

• When perfect, gradually speed up each time, but keep a steady beat.


• Isolate specific measures of difficulty.
• Then approach it by starting on the measure prior
• Then play it and the measure after
• Then approach it and complete it by playing the measures prior and after


• Practice no more than five consecutive minutes on the same spot. If it is still wrong after that, go on somewhere else and try it again later. Usually it will be much better when you come back to it.