Passages in music are meant to take us from point A to point B, and practicing them slowly can hinder speed despite improving tone production.

Phrasing is essential when playing a passage, and I personally enjoy incorporating phrasing into my performance. When playing fast scalar passages, focus on the overall crescendo rather than each individual note, as the first note should not be accented but rather serve as the beginning of a crescendo leading to the theme.

The fingering for difficult passages should be crafted to allow for extensions, making it easier to transition between notes without losing position.

When learning a piece of repertoire, having a performance goal can guide you on when to move on, such as being able to play it from beginning to end with musical shaping and phrasing.

When I need to learn new repertoire quickly for tours, I focus on hitting the notes and playing the music, ensuring my hands are prepared for the technical challenges.

Practicing slowly allows me to press the strings before I play, which helps avoid mistakes and ensures clarity in sound.

Treat the musical phrase as a path from point A to point B, which simplifies the playing process and allows for a more relaxed approach.

Before performing, I remind myself of the specific sections in the music that I need to focus on, which can be stressful.

Practicing means playing at a very slow tempo, allowing me to control every movement of my left and right hands.