Comments on How to Practice Piano

Treat difficult-to-play passages as a strength-training exercise, like any other athlete. Play the notes very slowly, but with great force, pressing as hard as you can. This will help develop strength, and next time you will be able to play it better.

Learn riffs from guitar books and amaze your friends and family.

If you are having difficulty with a certain part of a song, create an exercise out of it. You should be able to play it better afterward, and if encountering the same thing again in another piece, you'll know how to deal with it.

If you have trouble concentrating for long periods of time, split your designated practicing time into 2 or 3 separate sessions. Do songs for one session, technical for another session and studies for yet another session.

Slow practice really helps! Play each measure and a half 4-5 times slowly, then 4-5 times at medium speed with dynamics, and then, finally, 4-5 times up to tempo. Remember to sink your fingers into the keys as you are playing, but do not bang. This helps you when you memorize the piece. You will not run, and you will have control.