Many players can copy a progression once, but struggle to own it. The difference is practice design. Effective progression practice trains movement, hearing, memory, and context all together.
Step 1: reduce the progression
Start with root movement and chord quality only. Know whether you are hearing I-V-vi-IV, ii-V-I, or some other pattern. You should be able to explain the progression before trying to decorate it.
Step 2: choose economical voicings
Use inversions that keep your hand movement small. This builds consistency and helps you hear function more clearly.
Step 3: change keys early
Do not wait until you feel perfect in one key. Transposing sooner reveals whether you truly understand the progression or only memorized finger positions.
Step 4: add rhythm and dynamics
Once the harmony is stable, practice it with grooves, different tempos, and phrase shapes. This transforms a theory exercise into music.
The best progression practice is never just about getting through the chords. It is about making the progression usable in real musical situations.