Should you keep practicing when struggling?

When learning new pieces, I always hit this phase: after getting comfortable, suddenly everything feels wrong. Why does it get worse with more practice? Either rhythms go messy or emotions disappear - so frustrating! But actually, this often signals progress. As you master the piece, you notice more details previously overlooked. The trick? Slow down. Accept the frustration. Use a metronome to stabilize rhythm. For tricky sections, try the EggFish Metronome's custom rhythms - program the pattern, practice slowly, then return to normal tempo. Eventually, you'll internalize the rhythm. Push through this hurdle, and you'll find your groove. When you can play steadily while adding personal expression, you've truly mastered the piece.