Learning Technique
Chunking
Don't practise the whole problem. Practise the smallest part that contains the problem.
What is it?
Chunking means breaking difficult music into very small, manageable sections before putting them back together. Instead of repeating an entire piece, you isolate the exact passage that needs attention and solve that problem first.
Why musicians get this wrong
Many musicians practise from the beginning, play until something goes wrong, fix it briefly, and then carry on. This feels productive, but it often reinforces the mistake because the real problem was never isolated.
Why it works
Your brain learns more efficiently when it only has one problem to solve at a time. Small, successful repetitions build reliable motor patterns far faster than repeatedly struggling through an entire performance.
Common mistakes
- Making the chunk too large.
- Repeating the same mistake without stopping to diagnose it.
- Moving on before the chunk is reliable.
- Forgetting to reconnect the chunk to the surrounding music.
Worked example
Instead of practising an entire verse, choose the two beats where your fingers stumble. Practise only those two beats until they feel controlled. Then add the beat before, the beat after, and finally the full bar.
Try this today
- Find the hardest four bars.
- Choose the smallest section that contains the problem.
- Practise that section slowly until it feels reliable.
- Add one small piece before and after it.
- Join the chunk back into the full passage.
Reflection question
What is the smallest part of today's music that would make the biggest difference if you improved it?