Don’t get me wrong – there is no substitute for focused and efficient hard work in the practice room. When you perform, you are relying on the countless hours of  diligent practice and preparation to execute that tricky technical passage or awkward meter. That being said, a comprehensive understanding of any piece must also include familiarity with the historical, cultural, and musical implications of the piece. The well-rounded musician must prepare both inside and outside the practice room. Here are the non-practice steps I take when learning new repertoire: Listening Listen to recordings. Listen to several different recordings by different artists. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many…