• Realize that practicing seriously and playing are two differ pairs of shoes.
• It is not necessary to practice endless hours but it is essential to work regularly, and when you do, it must be with total concentration (no watching TV at the same time!), focus and consistency. When practicing, pay the utmost attention to the every detail of every single movement. Strive for perfection.
• Always split up complex problems into smaller sections, master them and then put them back together again.
• Always practice SLOWLY and loud, with a clear and fully balanced tone. But also practice how to make full use of the dynamic facilities and range of your instrument.
• Increase the tempo only after you can handle the previous speed comfortably. Things you can play slowly you will eventually be able to play quickly, and the reverse is true, too: if you can’t play slowly, you will never be able to play quickly. Also remember, music is not always about speed and playing fast; after all, you are not on a racing track!
• RIGHT HAND: Caress rather than strike the strings in order to produce a full, round, warm, balanced and intensive tone. Try to achieve an equal tone quality in both, the rest and the free strokes. Play around and find the best possible nail shape for your fingers. Not everybody has got the same fingers and/or nails hence not everybody may need the same nail length and shape.
• LEFT HAND: Always re-check the pressure actually needed to hold down a string. Do not apply more pressure than is really needed to produce a clear sound. Unnecessary pressure blocks a free flow of movement.
AND, most of all, make your practice sessions FUN !
Enjoy yourself and your music and you will bring happiness to others through it.
