Click here and discover Go2piano's sheet music
They are made for pianists and accordionists, for all levels!
1. Turn your sheet music into a "Puzzle"
The classic mistake is trying to play the whole page at once. My advice: cut everything up!
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Choose very short segments: 2 measures, or even just one if the passage is complex.
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Don’t work on consecutive segments, so you’re not tempted to play them in sequence.
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Why? This breaks the autopilot mode and forces your brain to stay focused on each passage, each note, each fingering. Your reflexes will only improve afterward.
2. How to master a single puzzle piece
Once your segment is chosen, follow this order:
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Hands separately: Essential for instruments like piano or accordion.
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Choose your fingering: This is the most important step. A fixed and intentional fingering is the key to muscle memory.
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Hands together: Play at an "extreme" slow speed. As long as you’re not 100% sure of the next note, don’t play it. If it’s too hard, shorten the segment even more.
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Once the movement is secure, slowly integrate the rhythm and use a metronome to find your "comfort zone," even if it’s much slower than the original tempo.
3. The "5 times without mistake" game
This is a small challenge to validate your work:
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Take a segment.
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Goal: Play it 5 times in a row without a single mistake.
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The rule is strict: If you make a mistake, start over from zero.
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If you reach 5, mission accomplished! You can move on with a light heart.
"Practicing" is not "Playing"
It’s crucial to distinguish these two moments:
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PRACTICE TIME: This is the building phase. You segment, slow down, repeat. It’s demanding, and satisfaction comes from technical success rather than immediate musical emotion.
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PLAY TIME: This is pure pleasure. Return to simple pieces you already know, have fun with the segment you just worked on, play faster, make mistakes, just enjoy!
Conclusion
The secret to progress lies in the balance between effort and pleasure. But progress is not a necessity, pleasure is. You can enjoy yourself at any level. It’s up to you to set the bar where you feel best. Do it for yourself, not to impress anyone!
Click here and discover Go2piano's sheet music
And put these tips into practice right away :)
Happy music making!
Guillaume from Go2Piano
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