Practising makes me lousier

[y02chs157]

I am currently taking the ABRSM Grade 7 exam. The piece which i have a problem with is A1 : Allegro in A h.338,Wq.116/16 by C.P .E Bach. How come the more i practice the more i tend to miss notes and get the timing wrong?

[amp]

This is a stress thing, I assume you are nervous about it. Try to relax when you play it, the more worked up you get the more mistakes you will make. Can you narrow your practicing. ie. work on the first 10 measures, this practice session? Or maybe concentrate on one aspect at a time (phrasing, dynamics). Have you tryed it really slow, very carefully watching your fingers making sure you are not learning some notes wrong? With the metronome? Try working your way up from a slow tempo. You probably learned it that way from the beginning, but it will help to try that again. I know it's frustrating to go backwards, but it really could help a lot.

I think some of these ideas will help...when is the exam?

[amee]

You could also try just practicing the places where you most commonly make mistakes.  Go through them slowly, making sure every note is correct.  Just do those couple of measures, then try and fit them into the whole piece.  

[robert_henry]

How come, you ask?

Because you are finally learning the piece.  You are experiencing what it is like to move from playing the piece "automatically" to the feeling of playing with intent.  This is an important part of the learning process and it must be done with every piece you play.  

Robert Henry

[glamfolk]

Try practicing it with your eyes closed. That way you'll more easily connect the sound with the action, without having to translate through your eyes.  Also, try to play it way too fast, and then playing it at normal speed will seem easier.