"From Notes to Performance: How to Polish Your Piano Piece Like a Pro”

A clean, repeatable routine for taking a piece from "learned" to "performable."

Mindset & Focus

• Start memorizing the piece the first time you play it correctly.

• Start the piece several times. You must learn the sensation of how it begins.

• Be thinking at all times-CONCENTRATE.

  
  

  Sound, Touch, and Balance

• Play SLOWLY. You have to think harder.

• Play the piece ALL LOUD and SLOW. It forces fingers to feel the correct keys.

  
  

Structure, Harmony, and Memory

• Be aware of the harmonic structure-CHORDS.

• Play the piece ALL STACCATO and up to the tempo. It will teach fingers to hit squarely in the center of each key.

• Play the right hand loud, the left hand soft, and vice versa.

  
  

Coordination & Listening

• Play one hand silently while listening to the other hand play. (DO this a lot for the left hand with the right hand silent. A smart left hand will keep you out of trouble.

• Play using No Pedal. It will reveal all wrong notes.

• Work especially hard on the rusty parts, small troublesome sections.

  
  

Rhythm, Tempo, and Control

• Change the rhythm on long runs or shorter note patterns. It is a good test for finger knowledge and something to smooth out a passage.

• Work on getting the expression exactly the way you want it to sound.

• Phrase all notes correctly: legato, staccato, lift-off, accented, etc.

• Keep fingers especially CURVED for ornaments.

• Let your THUMB be the leader when playing octaves.

• When learning long scale passages and runs, "slam" the thumb with a strong accent. It ensures a firm knowledge of all finger placement on keys.

  
  

Troubleshooting the Tough Spots

• Be able to start playing at checkpoints throughout the piece when memorizing.

• Play your piece for many people on different occasions. The piece should feel very comfortable before playing it in public.

  
  

Expression & Musicality

• Invent your own ways of drilling the music into your ears, eyes, and fingers.

  
  

Performance Readiness

• Learn to love the music-It will come to life when it becomes a part of you.

  
  

Tip: Keep a small log and put a check mark next to each task you complete each day.

Consistency wins!