TIP 1 - KEEP IT FUN
Always try to keep it fun. Music is a wonderful activity. Try to avoid any negative feelings to what you are working on as this will directly effect your progress and in many cases lose ones interest in studying the instrument. So work within your ability and what time you have allowed for practice and HAVE FUN!!!

TIP 2 - ESTABLISH SMALL GOALS
This is one of my most important tips for true success. Each of your topics you are practicing , break them down into small levels. For example do right hand perfect first before adding left hand, or do the first 2 bars perfect before adding the 3rd bar. This type of practice is used by the best of us and gives the student the feeling of accomplishment many times while they are working on completing the topic. Don't wait until you complete the piece to feel good about it, this takes too long and will tend to pull ones interest away.

TIP 3 - UNDERSTAND WHY YOUR MATERIAL IS BEING STUDIED
This is important as you practice scales for example... WHY AM I DOING THIS? You will ask this many times as you climb through lesson material. I always explain each technique I teach as to why you are working on it...and I will show you on the piano. So ask your teacher if you should have that question...Why do I practice this exercise? Let them explain and you will become more motivated.

TIP 4 - SMALL PRACTICE SESSIONS
This is effective for a lot of us. Sit at the piano for 5-10 minutes at a time, you will tend to focus better and it will actually have you enjoy your practicing more as it will feel less involved. So grab those 5 minutes before school or work and do this several times within your day keeping track of it and watch your progress climb.

TIP 5 - DON'T RUSH TO HARDER LEVELS
Do not move ahead and be over anxious to play more difficult material. It is everyone's tendency to want to go to that next level quickly, be patient and you will see the harder material will be easier if you are to take your time and learn the basic underlying levels well before moving on. By moving ahead too soon you will get frustrated and lose interest quickly. Be patient and enjoy seeing your accomplishments day to day at your level.

TIP 6 - USE A TIMER
This is a tool that I have used for 25 years. Back when I was practicing as much as 8 hours a day I had to manage my time carefully in order to cover all my lesson material I was preparing for my teachers. I have taken this into my own teaching and recommend this for students of all levels and all ages from 5 to adult. By using a timer you allow 5 minutes say on an exercise and once the timer goes off you move to the next topic. This will assure you that you complete ALL lesson material daily and not over work one particular area. This will leave you with looking forward to continuing with a technique tomorrow. Keeping time on each topic will assure thorough learning. Remember all piano techniques will tend to help each other out so use a timer.

TIP 7 - STAY MOTIVATED
This is very important. A way to stay motivated is to create a calendar and keep track as to how much you practice daily . You can see clearly a steady flow of practice and note especially where those gaps on your calendar are which may tell you why you are having trouble putting a piece of music together. Write down your times and pay extra attention to those weeks where you have put in more time....LISTEN TO THE RESULTS!!!!

TIP 8 - RECORD YOURSELF
This is fun and beneficial. Take an audiocassette recorder and record yourself playing your various exercises and pieces and listen carefully to what you have done.. Is it to your liking???? A lot of times you may find by listening to yourself back that it clearly needs more work .It is so worth it when you can sit back and actually enjoy what you are listening too... this is valuable advice for beginners to professional level students.

TIP 9 - USE YOUR EARS
This will eventually be one of your most important tools for playing piano. Your ear will tell you a lot. So listen to it. If something sounds wrong, chances are it is, so check it out carefully and thank your ears for listening in.

TIP 10 - PRACTICE MEANS PLAY WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW
The most valuable advice I can give anyone out there. Most piano students who practice will always sit and play those same things because they sound GOOD. Remember to get the most out of your time, practice material that presents a challenge, this will help you grow most effectively and quickly. So when you sit at the piano and have NO MISTAKES... It is time to do something new and more difficult.