Learning New Music: The "Chunking" Method

Learning New Music: The "Chunking" Method


I can't think of many things more daunting than staring at a new piece of music. Can you relate? Often times, when I'm in such a situation I want to start at the beginning and play through the entire thing without stopping. This leads to extreme frustration when I can't play all of the passages correctly or anywhere near the indicated tempo. 

The result?

I give up. Defeated, I file the piece of music away in the drawer from which it came and try to never think about it again. Then, every time I hear someone else performing that really cool piece that I really wanted to learn I feel sorry for myself. 

UGH! 

Who has time for this kind of apathy? I know one thing for sure: If I don't have a plan before I sit down to tackle a new and challenging piece of music, I will never learn to play the things I really love. 

SO....























The following is just one of the many ways to break down the goal of learning a new piece into bite-sized manageable chunks. If you find yourself in a similar situation as mine, just follow this easy guide and you'll be on your way to beautiful flute music in no time. 

What are you waiting for? Try it now and then leave me a comment to tell me how you did. I'd love to hear your success story!

The "Chunking" Method

1. Gather a pencil, a practice journal/calendar, and your music. 

2. Quickly study the form of the piece:

• Does it start off with a slow melodic line for several measures and then speed up to a quick Allegro section? 
• What about the ending? Is it the same as another part of the music? 

3. Make an simple outline of the large scheme by marking it in the music or drawing it in your practice journal. 

4. Set a goal date to have the entire piece learned:

• Do you plan to perform this on a recital or at contest? Make your completion goal for two to three weeks before that date.      

5. Set goal dates for each larger section:

• Count how many weeks you have between now and your completion goal date. 
• Divide up the number of weeks among each section--be sure to allow extra time for the more difficult sections and less time for the easier ones. 
• You should have one goal date per section
• You don't have to learn the piece in order--often times I will start at the end and work backward. 
• Write the goal dates on the diagram in your practice journal/calendar in PENCIL. 

6. Divide each larger section into logical smaller sections

• Look at the phrasing or the style of music and section off groups of measures that are alike. 
• Depending on the length/style of the piece your sections at this point should be anywhere from 8 to 16 measures in length. 
• Add these sections to your diagram in your practice journal/calendar in PENCIL.

7. Assign goal dates for each smaller section

• Count up how many days/weeks you have between now and the first goal date.
• Divide up the number of days/weeks among each smaller section--allowing more time for difficult passages and less time for the easier ones. 
• Write the goal dates on the diagram in your practice journal/calendar in PENCIL. 

8. Start learning your first smaller goal section:

• Start with playing through the first phrase. 
• Play it slowly until you are comfortable.
• Go on to the next phrase.
• Play it slowly until you are comfortable.
• Add the first two phrases together. 
• Continue learning and adding phrases. 
• Repeat this process each day until you have the first section under your fingers. 
• Gradually increase (or decrease)  the tempo each day until it is as fast (or slow) as it should be. Never play faster than your fingers and mind can keep up!

9. Once the first section goal is met--move on to the next one and the next until the piece is learned. 

Things to Remember

• Though the "chunking" method is easy and effective,it can get rather microscopic in nature. Don't lose sight of the bigger musical picture as you are learning--listen to recordings and play through the other sections in your extra time. 
• Getting the piece under your fingers is super important, but so are the other aspects of the music. In addition to doing "finger-work" through the challenging passages, remember to also practice dynamics and tempo changes. 
• It's okay if you don't meet each goal perfectly! This is why you wrote them in PENCIL. Life happens and sometimes you need to adjust your goals accordingly. It's Okay!

If this list seems overwhelming to you, you are probably over-thinking it. Don't be too detailed in your diagrams and notes in your journal--make it as quick and easy as you can so you can spend your time playing the music. 

As you get started on your chunking adventure, keep me updated on your progress! I'd love to know what pieces you are working on and how you are feeling as you meet your goals. 

Happy Practicing!

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