The Power of Slow Practice: Patterning Technique, Expression, and Ease

​In music practice, every note, every movement (both conscious and unconscious), and every thought leaves an imprint on how we play and perform.  When learning complicated repertoire, it is easy to forget that music is not only about playing notes, but creating meaningful connection by using all of the elements of music.  That’s why slow practice is one of the most powerful—and underrated—tools we have as musicians to develop and pattern our best performance habits.
 
When we practice slowly, we give our minds and bodies time to absorb information accurately. Slow repetition builds clean, reliable technique and precise control, helping us avoid the sloppy habits (blips and “bonus notes”) that can creep in when we rush.  It’s the musical equivalent of building a strong foundation before adding layers of speed and complexity.

But slow practice isn’t just about accuracy—it’s also about artistry.  When we play at a manageable tempo, we can listen deeply to our sound, shape phrases with intention, and feel the emotional flow of the music.  It’s the perfect space to cultivate expressiveness, not just mechanical fluency.  In my 2023 interview with the legendary flutist Keith Underwood, he told me that he asks students to slow down recordings of inspiring artists, count to the exact number of vibrato pulses they used on certain notes and phrases, emulate that at slow tempos, and progressively speed up while keeping that number of pulses.  This is a reminder to as you speed up tempo to reinforce your decisions of the expressive elements of vibrato –  as well as dynamics, articulation, phrasing and nuance – that you were able to display at a slower tempo.

Equally important is what not to pattern.  In a recent lesson, a student was about to play an etude "at tempo."  They set themselves up by getting in an aggressive-looking fighting stance and taking an agitated sounding breath.  I had to ask, "are you about to attack this piece?"  If we practice with tension—tight shoulders, shallow breathing, or mental frustration—those states become part of the performance, too.  The goal of slow practice is not only technical mastery but also to pattern physical ease and mental calm.  Start with a stable but flexible posture and next add breath.  Pay attention to the quality of your inhale: let it be open, warm, and spacious, as if you’re breathing in the sound itself.  This kind of breathing not only releases tension but connects you more deeply to the expressive heart of the music.  Keep that quality of breathing and ease in your body as you speed up the metronome little by little.

Imagine each of the aspects of musicianship as a box, or a gift, that you carry.  One box with tone colors, a box with technique, a box with healthy posture, a box full of positive attitude, etc.  Total musical artistry is balancing all of these.  We can imagine the need to start off slowly and only go as fast as we can comfortably go without dropping any of those gifts.  

So next time you pick up your instrument, remember: every repetition is a rehearsal of the way you want to be as a total musician.  What and how we practice is what we pattern.  Slow down, listen, breathe, balance—and pattern your best habits for your best performances.

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Use a metronome and tuner.
Practice with good posture - always put your music on a music stand. 
Reach your goals with more ease and focus by using a practice journal. 
Oh, and consider doing some yoga and movement.   

P.S.
Students – keep in mind your auditions and competitions! 
​For example, the Illinois Music Educator Association (ILMEA) auditions use a 70-point rubric of:

• Tone: 15 points
• Technique: 15 points
• General Musicianship: 10 points
• Rhythm: 10 points
• Intonation: 10 points
• Scales: 10 points

Which of these points are you willing to drop?  :)  I thought so.

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