Last year at our master class I asked the students to give their advice on practicing. Here are some of their practice tips!

"If you make a mistake, keep going and never quit." - Sal

"When you use the pedal, keep your foot on the floor." - Emily

"Use a metronome." - Drew

"Break your song into pieces and work on each bit separately." - Hayley

"When practicing, if you find a 'trouble' bar or spot, go over it again and again until it is flawless, even if it takes you all day." - Chelsea

"Try to play a small bit at a time." - Alicia

"If you are playing in front of a big audience, don't look at them, look at the back wall." - Sam

"Don't give up when you're practicing, even if it is hard! And play in front of people to get used to it." - Mikayla

"Practice hardest first and easiest last." - Erin

"If you have an audience and make a mistake while playing, then just keep going!" - Toni

"Play your favorite song last so you have something to look forward to at the end of your practice." - Sarah

"No matter how frustrated or hard it gets, keep going!" - Olivia

"Never give up hope if you make a mistake on the piano piece." - James

"Don't get mad if you make a mistake, because you can learn from it." - Sara

"If you don't feel like practicing, but you are one practice away from getting a sticker, go through all your stuff then reward yourself by playing a few of your old fun songs." - Jordanne

"I like to play with the metronome." - Jade

"When you sit down to play, don't try to play a piece you shouldn't. Play the piece you find most difficult and warm up your fingers with a scale." - Kailey

"Don't use a timer to practice, just do what you need to." - Joel

"Clapping to the beat helps counting and rhythm." - Jessica

"I think everyone should relax when they're playing in front of a bunch of people and just release the tension." - Emma

"Do the trickiest part first, and do it slow. If it doesn't sound right, do it again!" - Alexis

"Clap out the song on your lap." - Libby

"Do the hardest piece first." - Sydney

"Maybe you could listen to other music that people play." - Sadie

"Play your favorite song first." - Caitlyn

"For me, to practice more." - Christian

"Ask other people for tips." - Sophie

"Never neglect playing for more than two days. The result is loss of capability." - Rachel

"Good work, keep it up! Counting and clapping." - Sarah

"Do not build in mistakes and practice 5 times the musical bar you make a mistake on." - Rex

"Look at your music before you play it." - Cameron

"Work on the hardest bar first. Do it hands separate first, then slowly hands together." - Jenna

"Ask your parents." - Abby

"Look at the notes before you play." - Chance

"Practice at least one time a day for half an hour, and start with the hardest piece first." - Kaela

"Never stop learning!" - Sammy C