I'm not near a piano. How can I practice?
1) Study your score. Make notes in your music. Write in the chord names. Make repeated phrases. Listen to it in your head while you read through the score. Imagine yourself playing it, how does it feel?
2) Practice the rhythms. Memorize a tricky rhythm, then practice tapping it on your lap, your desk, the steering wheel at stop lights, etc.
3) Try to remember the whole piece and play it in your imagination.
4) Sing the melody line. Sing the harmonies.
5) Practice relaxation. Do progressive muscle relation or some other technique that helps you relax your body. It may not be actual music practice, but it does help!
6) Do hand exercises. Tap your fingertips on your thumb. Make fists and open them into round hand shape. Alternate tapping individual fingers faster and faster while keeping your hand shape.
7) Think through the notes in scales or chords.
Music is both a mental and physical activity. If you aren't at your instrument, you can still do things that will help when you are back at it.
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