Stopping Practice

"Think ten times and play once" – Theodor Leschetizky

Divide the music into phrases (they are quite often 4 bars in length). Working one phrase at a time, apply the following threefold ritual:

1. Begin with a PLAN. Mentally rehearse or actually sing the phrase a tempo (not flashed through in a second).
2. Next PLAY the phrase.
3. The final part is to JUDGE. Stop, put your hands to your lap if it helps and take a moment to reflect on how you played. Criticize yourself and be sure to include both the positive as well as the negative. At this point consider all sorts of practical questions. For example “Did the fingering, pedaling, etc., all conduce to give me a recognizable copy of that mental rehearsal?”

Sometimes the desire to try the phrase over again is irresistible, but think it through again first. Do not play twice on one mental rehearsal if you can withstand the violent temptation. In this emulate a golfer rather than a hockey player – “address the ball”. Remember, the pause must be at least as long as the phrase to come.

This strategy provides a practical approach to what I believe Leschetizky meant by his famous words "Think ten times and play once".