6 Ways to Prepare for Your Best Practice Ever
Practice does not make perfect, but perfect practice does
One the most important keys to success in music instruction is your practice time. Everyone is given the same amount of hours in a day, so it is very important to make the most of your practice time.
It’s safe to assume that if you are taking the time to read this article, you already have the drive to succeed and make your practice time count. With that in mind, here are some ideas to consider that will help you maximize your time and energy.
#1 Schedule a specific time & stick to it
This cannot be emphasized enough. The ideal method is to practice at the same time every day for a set amount of time. Get a day planner or use an online calendar like Google Calendar and put your practice time in there. It increases your chances of sticking to your commitment.
Life happens, and you will need to make exceptions to this rule from time to time. Try to move your practice time ahead or behind on those days. Make every effort to play every day.
#2 Create the perfect environment
In a perfect world, you would be able to have a room in your home set aside for the sole purpose of practicing your music. If you have that luxury, take advantage of it! If not, try to set a section or corner of a room aside for it.
Decorate the walls of your room or area with prints and posters that are either music related (a poster of your favorite band, or maybe a chord chart) or that have a general “Positive Mental Attitude” message. Clear out any clutter and make sure you have the right furniture for the job.
#4 Get rid of distractions
Distractions can appear in more than one way. Physical clutter can be distracting, so keep your area clean. Other potential distractions abound. Shut your phone off; you can text or call people after your practice time is over. Do not have a computer on unless you need it for your music training, and stay disciplined if you do use it.
It is a good idea to have a healthy snack and something to drink on hand to keep your energy up, but don’t set up a meal. You can have lunch after you’re done playing.
#5 Have a goal
Do not bumble through your practice time with only a vague idea what you want to do with it. Write down your goals in advance. (You can use the day timer or online calendar mentioned above for this.) Set how much time you want to spend with items like practicing scales, and what pieces of music you want to work on. This process will become more streamlined as time goes on, but in the beginning don’t worry if you “bite off more than you can chew.”
#6 Challenge yourself
Push yourself to do something new every time you practice, even if it is as simple as trying to play a piece in a slightly different style or tempo. This can help you avoid falling into a rut. It will also give you something to look forward to.
These simple suggestions can help you on your way to becoming the musician you have always wanted to be.
Phone Glenn Sutton at: 619-306-3664.
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