3 tips for deciphering a new musical score

Learning a new piece is often the most frustrating part of musical practice. You want to hear the melody right away, but your fingers get stuck. To transform this moment of frustration into a rewarding success, here's my method for tackling any new score.

Click here and discover the sheet music for Go2piano
They're perfect for pianists and accordionists of all levels! 

1. Transform your score into a "Puzzle"

The classic mistake is trying to play the whole page at once. My advice: cut it all out!

  • Choose very short segments: 2 measures, or even just one if the passage is complex.

  • Don't work on consecutive segments, so as not to be tempted to link them together.

  • Why? It breaks the autopilot mode and forces your brain to stay focused on each passage, each note, each fingering. Your reflexes will only improve as a result.

2. How to master a single piece of the puzzle

Once you have chosen your segment, follow this order:

  • Separated hands: Essential for instruments like the piano or accordion.

  • Choose your fingering: This is the most important step. A fixed and intentional fingering is the key to muscle memory.

  • Hands together: Play at an "extremely" slow tempo. Don't play the next note until you're 100% sure. If it's too difficult, shorten the segment even further.

  • Once the movement is secure, slowly incorporate the rhythm and use a metronome to find your "comfort zone", even if it is much slower than the original tempo.

3. The "5 times without a mistake" game

This is a small challenge to validate your work:

  • Take a segment.

  • Objective: To play it 5 times in a row without a single mistake.

  • The rule is strict: If you make a mistake, you start from scratch.

  • If you reach 5, mission accomplished! You can move on with peace of mind.

"Working" is not "playing"

It is crucial to distinguish between these two moments:

  • WORK TIME: This is the construction phase. We segment, we slow down, we repeat. It's demanding, and satisfaction comes from technical success rather than immediate musical emotion.

  • PLAYING TIME: It's pure fun. Go back to simple pieces you already know, have fun with the segment you just worked on, play faster, make mistakes, enjoy yourself, simply!

Conclusion

The secret to progress lies in the balance between effort and enjoyment. But progress isn't a necessity; enjoyment is. You can find enjoyment at any level. It's up to you to set the bar where you feel most comfortable. Do it for yourself, not to impress anyone!

Click here and discover the sheet music for Go2piano
And put these tips into practice right away :)

Good music!

Guillaume from Go2Piano


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