Mastering Effective Practice Strategies for Musicians through the Chunking Method
How to practice effectively for music students
Do You Feel Stuck in Your Practice Routine?
Do you ever feel frustrated with your practice, like you're not making progress no matter how much time you put in? The problem isn't your ability—it's your approach. Many musicians waste valuable time practicing ineffectively, leading to frustration, burnout, and slow improvement.
Your time is too valuable to waste, so let’s fix your practice strategy and make every session count.
The Problem with Inefficient Practice
One of the most common pitfalls musicians face is repeating the same passage over and over, hoping for different results.
As Albert Einstein famously said:
"Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results."
This mindset directly applies to ineffective practice habits. Many students spend hours playing the same section without truly addressing the underlying issues. Mindless repetition reinforces poor technique rather than correcting it, leading to slow progress and, eventually, a loss of motivation.
So, how can we break free from this cycle? The answer lies in a powerful technique known as chunking.
What Is the Chunking Method?
Playing an instrument is an advanced coordination game: your hands must perform opposite yet synchronized tasks to produce a clean, articulate sound. If they aren’t properly coordinated, the result is messy phrasing and poor articulation.
Chunking is a cognitive strategy that breaks down complex skills into smaller, more manageable sections. Research in cognitive psychology suggests that our brains process information more efficiently when it's grouped into chunks. Just like we memorize phone numbers or acronyms by grouping information, we can apply the same principle to music.
By practicing in small sections, your brain can process movements more effectively and improve coordination between both hands.
This method transforms your practice into an active, strategic process rather than mindless repetition.
How to Apply Chunking to Your Practice
Instead of playing an entire piece from start to finish, break it into sections and focus on mastering each one before moving on. Let’s explore how to apply chunking using a well-known orchestral excerpt: Mozart’s Symphony No. 35, 4th movement.
This passage features a long string of fast eighth notes, requiring precise coordination for clarity and articulation. Here’s how you can break it down step by step:
Step 1: Chunk Notes into Groups of Two
Play each set of two notes quickly, holding the second note.
Reverse the process: play each set of two notes while holding the first note.
Step 2: Chunk Notes into Groups of Three
Play the first three notes, holding the third note.
Repeat with another set of three, holding the second note.
Finally, play another set of three, holding the first note.
Step 3: Chunk Notes into Groups of Four
Play four-note sets, holding the last note in each chunk.
Shift which note is sustained in each repetition to reinforce control.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Between each chunk, pause and mentally prepare for the next section. This silence is where the magic happens—it gives your brain time to process upcoming movements before executing them. Focus on clear articulation, intonation, and preparing for the next notes.
Why Chunking Works
By practicing with the chunking method, you’re no longer just repeating passages and hoping for improvement—you’re actively training your brain to process, plan, and execute with precision. This strategy turns frustration into measurable progress and helps you work with your brain, not against it.
So next time you struggle with a difficult passage, remember: it's not that you can't play it—it's just a matter of coordination. Break it down, work through each chunk, and allow your brain the time it needs to process and execute efficiently.
If you found this lesson helpful, be sure to integrate these strategies into your practice routine. And if you’re ready to refine your technique and tone with expert guidance, book an online or an in--person trial lesson at micaelamurphyviola@gmail.com—I’d love to help you reach your musical goals!
