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Why do things always go right the second time only?

November 27, 2011 at 8:21 PM

It's simple, really: because that is what I too often practise. Play through a piece until something goes wrong; practise what went wrong until it is fixed; repeat.
That's practising backwards. What would forward practice be? Probably the same thing, but without the first run-through.

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Totally know what you mean! But-you probably know your playing; can you look through it first and spot the trouble spots and work them out before diving in? Or mark mistakes from the day before and start with fixing them the next day? And in the fixing, figure out what you're going to need to do, before you try it and end up kerfuddled! Hope that helps you; it helps me! :) best to you!
Kathryn, thank you. Those things you mention must be the sensible way to deal with this, and I'll be sure to try them. But I was not complaining; rather, I was happy to have found out why this so often happens. Much more useful than ascribing such mishaps to "nerves".
Ah, I read again and discovered your "aha" moment :)