On preparation

If you knew that applying hand and feet preparation in your practice would eliminate all kinds of sloppiness in your performance, would it be worth it?

Basically this is the first step to professional attitude because it requires great attention to detail and meticulous repeated work in fragments.

Regardless whether you consider yourself an amateur or a professional I believe applying preparation is what will make a difference in the long run.

When you watch great organ virtuosos play from behind, you can notice how effortlessly their feet move. This is because as soon as their feet release any specific note, they slide instantly into position for the next note and wait there. This waiting period can be as short as half of a second or as long as one minute depending on the situation in the score.

Try this trick not only with your feet but also with your hands. This will not be easy, though. A part of you will scream to stop and play the piece without stopping. In fact, the longer you practice this way, the harder it will get.

But if you persist, your feeling of accomplishment will be so much greater, even if you only mastered this way 4 measures today.