Attitude is Everything
Start your practice, whether it’s a long practice, or you just have a few minutes, with the attitude that you are ready to work, learn, improve, and have fun playing your instrument in that moment. Don’t worry about small mistakes or let challenges frustrate you. Just notice them, then go back and tackle difficult passages in smaller pieces. Make sure that you don’t try a few times until you get something just the way you want and stop. Go the extra mile and repeat your own best version several times so that you really remember, and can build from that at the next practice.
Effective Time Management Leads to Faster Improvement
At the start of your practice, decide how much time you have, maybe it’s only fifteen minutes (ten minutes of real time by the time you set up to start and pack up at the end). No worries, use that time well! Pick the thing that is the most difficult and focus on that. If you have time, review something fun. Be glad that you kept the momentum going and didn’t skip a day! If you have time for a long practice, use your practice chart and lesson notes, try to cover everything at least a little bit, and note what needs the most work so that you can start with that the next time, whether it’s a particular piece, a new technique, or one difficult “chunk”.
Make A Practice Plan and Checklist!
1. Review Lesson Notes! Using a practice chart is helpful, but also be sure to note what should be improved or worked on in each piece. Use the checklist to keep you on track and plan to “adjust the plan” accordingly for the rest of your practice or for the next practice!
2. Self-evaluation is the fastest way to improve! Have someone take a quick video of something you are working on. Notice what’s going well and what still needs work. Start with whatever needs the most work at the next practice.
3. Write down questions for your teacher. If you start your lesson by telling your teacher how your practicing went, they can be that much more helpful to you. Your teacher wants to help you reach your goals!
Choose Focus Points For Each Practice!
Here’s a sample of how you could divide your practice time. The best way is always to make a plan with your teacher that fits your needs!
1. Technique: Scales, exercises, etudes, chord study would be examples.
2. Repertoire: Music you are working on to perform at an upcoming recital or event, or new pieces you are studying for your lessons.
3. Ensemble or School Music: Anything you are playing with others at school, in an orchestra or band, in a chamber music group or jazz combo, or anything you will play at church, or with friends or family just for fun.
4. Sight-Reading: Try looking through music you have never played. It may start as simply as just learning to recognize notes, rhythms, and chords, and you will eventually develop the ability to play something for fun without making it a major practice project. Your teacher can point you in the right direction!
5.Review: Music you’ve already played. It’s important to build on what you have already learned, that’s the foundation for progress! Don’t just drop those pieces, keep improving them and keep them fresh. Who knows, you might be teaching them one day!
- Karine Stone, Music Instructor at Vibe Music Academy.
