Are you frustrated with making too many mistakes while practicing? Do you ever wonder how to stop making so many mistakes at the piano? If so, you’re not alone! It’s a common issue that many pianists struggle with.
But the good news is that there are actionable strategies you can implement to improve your practice and reduce the number of mistakes you make. In this post, I’m going to share four effective strategies that will help you break bad habits and take your piano playing to the next level.
For a more in-depth exploration of this topic, check out my video, where I go over these ideas in more detail! In the video I also demonstrate on the piano, using an excerpt from the last movement of Beethoven’s “Pathetique” Sonata, Op. 13.
Strategy No. 1: Get familiar with the piece.
The first strategy that can help you stop making so many mistakes at the piano is to get to know the piece you’re playing really, really well. This means having a mental picture of what you’re trying to accomplish. You can achieve this by listening to different performances of the piece while following along in the score. You can also “bash” through the piece from beginning to end to get a sense of its structure and length. Think of it like a painter making a rough sketch of the painting before they start filling it in with color. You want to have that rough sketch of the whole piece in your mind before you start learning it note by note.
Click here for my blog post and video about what to do FIRST when starting a new piece!!
Strategy No. 2: Fix your mistake as soon as it happens.
The second strategy is crucial: fix your mistake as soon as it happens. When you’re practicing, it’s easy to go on autopilot and make mistakes without even realizing it. That’s why you need to actively listen to yourself as you play, and monitor what’s coming out of the piano.
And that’s why it’s easy when you’re in the practice room to fall into the trap of making mistakes, but not fixing them right away.
To identify and fix a mistake in your practice, first you need to isolate the mistake and identify the exact spot where it happened. Then, fix it by playing it correctly several times in a row. Once it feels secure, put it back into context and continue.
Click here for my blog post and video about “honest mistakes” vs. “careless mistakes” – and other ways to make mistakes work for you!
Strategy No. 3: Identify what you need to change technically.
Even if you’re diligent about identifying and trying to fix mistakes in context, sometimes you might find that there is a spot or passage that you just can’t seem to play.
And so, when you’re trying to break the habit of making lots of mistakes in your piano practice, it’s also important to figure out what you need to change technically to avoid making the same mistake again.
Did you overshoot or undershoot a note? Do you need to raise your wrist as you pass the thumb under? Do you need to apply a physical motion like rotation or wrist circles? Do you need to adjust your fingering or hand position? Once you identify the issue, focus on correcting it in your practice.
This is where it’s helpful to identify places in the music where you can apply technical skills you have learned, such as rotation, wrist circles, and dropping your arm weight into the piano.
Strategy No. 4: Challenge yourself (but not too much)
Challenging yourself is essential for improving your skills as a pianist. However, it’s important to find the right level of challenge when practicing. If something is too easy, it won’t be challenging enough to improve your skills. On the other hand, if it’s too hard, it’ll be impossible to play and may discourage you from continuing.
The principle of deliberate practice suggests finding the right level of challenge where you have some discomfort. That’s where you’ll be most likely to improve. Focus on the areas where you struggle instead of the ones you already play well.
Remember, effective learning may be mentally uncomfortable, but it should always be physically possible and comfortable enough. So, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself, but be mindful of finding the right level of challenge to improve your skills.
CONCLUSION
Incorporating these strategies into your practice routine can help you stop making so many mistakes at the piano. It takes time, practice, and patience to become a great pianist, so be persistent and consistent in your efforts. By doing so, you’ll be able to improve your skills and become the pianist you’ve always wanted to be!
What strategies do you have for making fewer mistakes at the piano? Leave them in the comments below!
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