FAQs re Piano Practice #2

FAQ2: What is the Most Important Element of Practice?

Simple answer: EFFICIENCY.

Surprise. Most folks think TIME. They probably have heard that stupid old joke about some guy in New York City. A tourist asks the New Yorker, "How do I get to Carnagie Hall?" The savvy New Yorker replies, "Practice, practice, practice." Dumb, both as a joke and as an approach - but people seem to pick up on it, one way or the other, and decide that the AMOUNT of time and effort are the key determining factors in piano success.

Too bad that nothing could be further from the truth.

Hey, think about it - one hour of bad, inefficient practice is not solved by a second hour of bad, inefficient practice. Put that way it sounds as stupid as it really is. Plus, this statement leads us to say something sensible:

Practice SMARTER, not LONGER

Your goal as a piano practicer (and that category includes pretty much every pianist, no matter how accomplished) should be to get the most music for the least amount of time spent. In financial terms, this means maximizing ROI (Return On Investment.)

Having troubles and wondering what to do?
STOP
THINK
What exactly are you doing wrong? What is the error in your approach? Don't just "do more" and hope, somehow, for a miracle.
THINK
REASON
Use the brain to guide the activity of the fingers.

And ignore the clock.