Here are some practice tips that work well every time!

1.) Slow Down the Tempo  (Drastically!)

If you can play the music perfectly at a slow tempo, you can slowly increase the tempo and get it up to speed. If you cannot play something well at a slow tempo, trying to play it at a fast tempo is pointless. When learning a difficult passage, perfect it at a slow tempo. Then slowly increase the tempo.

2.) Break Difficult Passages into Smaller Sections.

Challenging passages can be mastered by tackling a small section, perfecting it, then taking the next small section, perfecting it, then linking the two together and perfecting this new longer section. Sometimes you might need to work on as little as two beats of music until it sounds good and feels good and you have it solidly under your fingers. Break it down into digestible chunks, then piece the chunks together.

3.) Subdivide, Subdivide, Subdivide

Subdividing to the smallest rhythmic unit can be extremely helpful. If you are working on a passage of syncopated eighth notes, subdivide and count eighth notes in you head well before you get to the challenging passage. This helps you to keep you place in the music and understand and play each rhythm.

4.) Find the Best Fingering and Be Consistent and Use it Every Time.

The best fingering can differ from person to person but when you find the fingering that works best for you, stick with it, be consistent and use it every time. This makes life easier for sure.

5.) Practice Often, Repetition is Key To Learning

Repetition is an important part of the learning process. It is more productive to practice for a short period every day than to let all week go by and then put in long practice sessions on the weekend.