Very interesting post! I have found that it is very important to practice in different ways. Changing things around from time to time is similar to a trainer’s recommendation in a health club. When you do your workout in a different order, your muscles are “surprised” and you end up with a better workout (more challenging, more effective).

I have a post on my blog about slow practice, as well as several other posts concerning various aspects of practicing and getting programs ready to perform. Here’s a link to the slow practice post: http://gretchenspianos.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/practicing-in-slo-mo/

Take care,
Gretchen