If you are anything like I used to be, getting your timing right is not exactly the easiest thing for you when it comes to learning a new piece of music. Just like everything else, there are strategies that you can use to help improve your timing of a piece of music.
The first step is to understand what the timing is from a technical viewpoint. If you do not understand what the note values are or the rest values, then this has to be your starting point. Once you have worked this out, then you can work out which hand is playing when. So this means that sometimes you will be striking a note in the right hand by itself, while the left hand is either holding on to another note from before or is having a rest. The reverse could also happen with the left hand playing independently to the right hand or both hands could be striking a note at the same time. While these steps might seem really obvious, it is important not to skip these steps.
The next step after understanding what has to happen and when, is to try it slowly. When I say to play the piece or the section that you are having difficulty with slowly, I mean for you to play it really slowly. If it is still not working, then slow it down further. What I want to emphasize here is that there is no such thing as playing it too slowly. Once you have found a slow speed that you can play the pesky part or piece at, then practice it at that really slow speed. Once you confidently have it known, then and only then do you increase the speed slightly and practice it at that same speed until it becomes known. You then literally keep repeating that process until it becomes a normal speed.
I have had a number of students argue this with me, but the slower you go, the quicker you will get your timing correct. I know that this might sound like an oxymoron but it is true – if you rush learning the timing, you will continue to stumble through it and it will end up taking a longer time to truly know how to play the piece well.
I have written before of the benefits of counting aloud. When you are counting aloud, you are not just using your brain to reinforce what beat or part of the beat you are meant to be playing in that moment, you are using your voice as well. By using your voice as well as your brain to keep the beat, you are doubling the effectiveness of getting the timing committed to your memory.
I haven’t written much about the use of metronomes, but these can be very useful for some musicians who struggle with keeping a steady beat. They are the sort of thing that you either like using them or hate them because the incessant ticking can really annoy some people. If you would like to try using a metronome, there are some free metronome apps that you could use to see if they are useful to you.
Another trick you can use to help you learn the timing of a piece or section of music, is to clap or tap it out. By doing this, you only have to concentrate on that one element of timing, rather than having to make sure that your notes are also accurate.
The bottom line is that many can struggle with getting their timing right and even though it does make learning to play the piano harder, it is not impossible to overcome. I have certainly overcome my timing challenges and I have seen many, many of my students conquer their timing as well.
If you struggle with your timing, understand that at least half of all piano students struggle as well and that just like any other challenge in life, this too is possible to conquer.