Teacher Activities
2025-2026

Fast First: Challenging the Monolith of Slow Practice

Slow practice has long been treated as a universal remedy for solving technical challenges at the piano. While careful, mindful repetition has value, emerging research in motor learning, biomechanics, and neuroanatomy suggests that slow practice alone may not prepare pianists for the real demands of performance tempo, regardless of repertoire level.

This session challenges the assumption that slow is always the best starting point. Drawing from studies of human movement and skill acquisition, we’ll explore how the nervous system encodes speed-specific motor patterns—and why practicing only at slow speeds (or slowly increasing speeds) can sometimes lead to inefficient or incompatible muscle coordination. Movements executed slowly often rely on different neuromuscular strategies than those performed at tempo, which can complicate the transition to full-speed playing.

Instead, we’ll introduce a more nuanced approach: integrating brief, targeted fast practice early in the learning process. Tools such as segmentation, rhythmic variation, hands-separate drills, and strategic repetition allow pianists to engage tempo-appropriate motor pathways without sacrificing control or accuracy.

Designed for both teachers and students, this session offers practical, research-informed strategies to accelerate technical fluency and build confidence. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how and when to use fast practice effectively—empowering pianists to move beyond the myth of “slow first” and toward a more flexible, performance-ready technique.

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