New Year Practice tips

New Year Practice Challenge
 
This fall, once we got back into a regular schedule after the hurricane, the studio practice challenges were very successful.  Most of my students completed the twenty day practice challenge, and in December the ornament challenge made my studio doors very colorful (see picture). This semester, we are doing a longer challenge of 100 days, but I will still be keeping track of each twenty day segments on my bulletin board. Here are some suggestions on how to make practicing a regular (and fun) part of your routine.

1.  Be consistent. Don’t try to do it all in one day.  If you leave practicing until the day before your lesson, you will be overwhelmed and frustrated and stressed out.  Instead, set a daily routine, and try to practice at the same time every day.
2. Be practical.  If you only have ten minutes, identify the measure/section that is the most difficult and work on that for ten minutes.  This method is much more effective than playing through the whole piece once, stumbling during the tricky spots, and getting discouraged. 
3. Be time savvy.  If you are able, break up your practicing into several small chunks over the course of the day.  Try to practice for 10 minutes before school, 10 minutes after dinner, and then 10 minutes before bed. Your brain works much more effectively when concentrating intensely for a short period of time. 
4. Be organized.  Make a schedule and put it on the fridge or bathroom mirror.  Do not underestimate the power of a visual reminder.  If you are so inclined, put a sticker on the chart for every day that you practiced. 

Music can be very rewarding, but like all things, the output is directly affected by in input.  The reward is worth the effort. 

Happy Practicing!
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“Do not hurry, do not rest.”  Suzuki

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