How to Learn a Piece of Music | A Comprehensive Guide

I sometimes impress myself in what I learned in university and in life TBH.

Before diving into the Guide here are some Generalities

You will notice that I have hyperlinked to other guides I have made because I did not want to muddy this page with too much information. It is the best way I could organize it without becoming too overwhelming with the information. Honestly, this is how I practice and thus far, it has been the best method for me. I made a completely different practicing guide here because I use so many different methods and not all pieces require the same methodology to learn.

I also want to be clear that different teachers have different methods that work for them and may advise otherwise. Everyone’s brains work differently so one method may not fully align with you, but I find that the principals are the same across the board with all educators: You should have some historical context to know the common practice of that time; practice the music and work out any flubs; and practice performing. These are the core three principles that I find teachers communicate with variation.

The Anxious Musician Method

I find that the more understanding I have of the work, the more grounded and confident I feel.

Warm up and do your thing

You have to do this! You gotta wake up your body for your instrument and shake off any tension. That means long tones, scales, articulations, stretches, meditations— I’m so serious! You need to get the mind, body, and spirit ready for this. Whatever you need to do to clear your mind and release tension, you gotta do it. I like to mix up my warm-ups a lot because I find if I stick to one only, I get bored really easy. Check out my Warm-Up Guide.

Sight Read

Once I go through the warmup, etudes and all that, if I have not worked on this piece ever, I like to sight read to give myself an idea of where I am at in my reading and what baseline I’m working with. Did I fly through everything with relative ease or was it pretty rough to get through the work? Wherever I end up with the first reading, it gives me context on what I will be focusing on and how much time I am spending on each section(s). Consider this stage being an initial assessment. This step sets the stage for focused practice and guides your allocation of time to different sections.

Research

Everyone always skips this step! It is the number one thing you should figure out before fully diving into a piece. Even a quick Wikipedia search will give you enough context. This step is often overlooked, even though it provides valuable insights into the composer's intentions and the piece's significance. Answering basic questions about the composer's identity, country of origin, creation date, and purpose of the piece can enrich your interpretation and connection with the music. These basic questions will I have created a much more extensive guide here.

Listen to the Music!

I often see my students say they have been listening to piece and they just are not getting it. With further investigation, I find out that it is because they are passively listening. Actively immerse yourself in recordings while following along with the score. Pay attention to dynamics, phrasing, tempo changes, and the overall narrative of the music. Internalizing the piece will influence your interpretation and expression when you perform especially when you listen to different artists! I get that we do not all get the time to sit down with the score and see what is supposed to happen but it’s essential to music learning. Lucky for you, I wrote a guide here✨

Sing it*

Singing the melodies and phrases of the piece can provide a deeper connection to the music. Vocalizing the music helps internalize the melodic contour, phrasing, and dynamics. Singing also aids in memorization and allows you to explore different nuances in your interpretation.

*Listening and singing your music is reoccurring throughout the entire process.
It is important that you internalize the sound of the piece where you can recall any sections.

Look at the Score

This is where you are going to find out the form of the work and highlight anything that sticks out to you. A deeper understanding of the piece comes from closely examining the score. Take note of the musical structure, key changes, thematic developments, and any marked dynamics or articulations. By understanding the score's layout and nuances, you gain a clearer roadmap for your practice and performance.

Learn the Rhythm

Rhythm forms the backbone of any musical composition. Invest time in mastering the rhythmic patterns of the piece. Practice without articulations to focus solely on the rhythm itself. Then, gradually incorporate articulations, dynamics, and phrasing to build a well-rounded interpretation.

Varied Practice Approaches

Practice in different ways to fully grasp the piece's intricacies. Start by practicing the piece exactly as written to establish a solid foundation. Then experiment with different articulations, dynamics, and tempos to explore the piece's potential interpretations. Practicing both technically and expressively ensures a well-rounded performance.

Reflective Performance

After thorough preparation, perform the piece as written to showcase your technical prowess and adherence to the composer's intentions. As you gain confidence, infuse your personal interpretation while staying true to the essence of the piece. Each performance becomes an opportunity to connect with the audience and convey the emotions embedded in the music.

Learning a new musical piece is a multifaceted journey that combines technical skill, historical understanding, active listening, and personal interpretation. By following these steps, you can approach each new piece with a comprehensive and informed mindset. Through disciplined practice, introspection, and artistic exploration, you will not only master the technical aspects of the music but also bring forth your unique voice as a musician, creating a meaningful and captivating performance.