Slow Practice Will Get You There Faster!

Practising musical instruments slowly is a tried-and-true method, especially popular in top music colleges in Russia. These institutions, known for their rigorous training programmes, swear by the “slow practice” approach to help musicians master their craft. 

Their philosophy is that if, when you’re playing a tune on your instrument, someone within earshot recognises what you’re playing, you’re playing it too fast.

Sergei Rachmaninov practised so slowly that even his colleagues didn’t recognise what he was playing. This was not music he was learning from scratch, but something he had performed many times and was practising slowly in order to keep it in good shape.

I dread to think how Rimski-Korsacov’s “The Flight of the Bumble Bee” (written to be performed at 187 BPM) might sound in Grave’s slow and solemn motion (20-40 BPM), but it’s perfect for practice.

Yuja Wang demonstrates incredible focus in her performance of “Bumble Bee“ (1:43)

Tempo Markings In Music

• Grave (20-40 BPM): Very slow and solemn
• Largo (40-60 BPM): Broad and slow
• Adagio (60-80 BPM): Slow and stately
• Andante (80-100 BPM): At a walking pace
• Moderato (100-120 BPM): Moderate speed
• Allegro (120-150 BPM): Fast and lively
• Vivace (150-180 BPM): Very fast and lively
• Presto (180-210 BPM): Extremely fast
• Prestissimo (210+ BPM): As fast as possible

But what makes the slow method so effective?

It builds muscle memory and a connection between the synapses. When you play at a slower pace, you focus on striking each note perfectly. This deliberate practice helps lock in the correct movements, thus reducing the chance of error when you speed things up. 

Russian music schools emphasise this meticulous approach because it’s crucial for mastering tricky sections and achieving technical competence.

By slowing things down, you’re given the chance to ‘dig’ into each note, phrase, and dynamic marking, all helping to bring about an understanding of the music on a deeper level. This in-depth analysis helps you interpret the music more expressively since you can consider all the emotional and structural details that might get lost when playing quickly. 

Russian instructors often stress the importance of this kind of thoughtful practice to build a strong connection between yourself and the music.

Practising slowly also sharpens your listening skills. At a slower tempo, you can really hear the quality of your tone, intonation, and articulation. This heightened awareness allows you to make quick adjustments and polish your sound. 

The majority of people don’t practice slowly enough

Critical listening skills are invaluable for both solo and ensemble performances.

The result? A reduction in physical and mental stress. When you rush through a piece, it’s easy to become tense and feel frustrated, slowing down your progress and even leading to injuries. 

Slow practice, however, promotes relaxation and control. You play more comfortably and confidently. This approach fits perfectly with the holistic training philosophy of Russian conservatories, where the focus is not just on technical skills but also on the overall well-being of students.

In short, the slow practice approach, so beloved by Russian music colleges, offers a wealth of benefits. It deepens musical understanding, hones listening skills, and minimises stress. 

These advantages come together to create well-rounded, proficient, and expressive musicians who are ready to shine in their musical careers.

Slow practice is not just for musicians.  Want to learn a poem, play better tennis, control a football, play chess, learn yoga or Tai Chi? 

Slow practice of these helps to eliminate indecision, hesitation and confusion.

If you don’t practice slowly enough, try from now on