WORK YOUR PLAN
Starting at the end of a piece or large section is a very useful application of perfect-measure practice. After the last measure is learned thoroughly, move to the previous measure. After bringing that measure up to your designated tempo, combine the two measures. Work backwards this way until the section or piece is finished. Record the date and tempo.
In practice, learning a piece back to front encourages you to play only music that has been practiced thoroughly. If you lose concentration and “run on” past the measure on which you are working, you will be reviewing measures that have already been learned.
In performance, having learned by starting at the end builds confidence. You know that you are moving into material that is easier because you have worked on it the longest.
