I didn’t change how I practice by working harder or adding more music.

Most of the real shifts happened years ago.

What became especially clear to me in 2025 was how many old assumptions I had quietly let go of and how often I still see them shaping the way pianists practice today.
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They were ideas that once felt useful… until they weren’t.

🤔 10 practice assumptions I no longer believe (2025 edition)

1) A final tempo is a set goal.
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2) Dotted-rhythm practice is a necessary step for fast passages.

3) Warming up with Chopin Études under tempo is mandatory.

4) The longer you practice, the more repertoire you learn.

5) If I don't have at least an hour to practice, I won't accomplish anything.

6) If I don't warm-up in the morning, it'll take me longer to warm-up later in the day.

7) Music has to be memorized to be ready for the stage.

8) There is such a thing as "finishing" a piece of music.

9) In order to be a respectable musician, you must excel at all periods of "classical" music.

10) In order for people to understand me, they must be a classical musician.
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​✨ If any of these sound familiar, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong, it’s because most of us were taught them.

Reply and let me know what practice assumptions you've busted this year.

Play On,
Lisa Spector 🎹 🥷
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​PS If questioning old assumptions resonates with you, you'll enjoy Piano Ninja Mindset Tricks, my new free private podcast with short, focused mindset cues for practicing.
Sign up here → LisaSpector.com/MindsetTricks​
And if you’re new to private podcasts, here's how to set it up.​