Whether you’re a brand new beginner or a seasoned musical veteran, practicing is necessary for advancement and enjoyment of any instrument. Listen below are 9 practice tips that have helped me and many of my students. 

Practice 5-6 times a week

One of the most important aspects of practicing is consistency. 

Practicing every day is a much more effective way to build skills and technique than to over practice and cram the day before your lesson. The human brain is such an amazing instrument in itself; it remembers what you practiced the day before, allowing youtube build upon previous efforts and play better each time you practice! 

Make practice fun

Don’t turn practicing into a chore. Practicing should be fun! Make sure that you (or your child) plays something fun for part of your practice session. Make a game out of playing the hard things a little bit better every time you practice it. Practice the hardest thing(s) first. When you feel a sense of accomplishment after practicing, you’re more likely to stick with it, as no one likes doing the same thing for months while not improving. 

Remember, a sense of accomplishment after practice is a powerful motivator 

Attend the first several lessons

This is especially crucial for parents! Attending the first several lessons is of the utmost importance, especially if you have never played the instrument before and/or your child is under 11 years of age. Parents are an EXCELLENT second set of listening ears, offering valuable help and support! Use this to your advantage. This is also a lovely bonding experience, as I know several of my students, especially early on in their musical development, loved having their parents there. The first few lessons can also be nerve wracking for young students as it’s a new experience. Having a parent present can help banish such nervousness and set the tone for later lessons. If you’re ever unsure what of needs to be practiced, attending lessons is so integral in staying in the loop! 

Take Notes

Have you ever gone to a lesson and everything made perfect sense, but when you pick up your instrument the next day you don’t remember any of it? You’re not alone. This is why it’s so important to write things down while they are fresh. It also helps if you write the notes so that it’s in your own words to avoid confusion or overly technical jargon your teacher might have throw in. If you’re a young musician, ask a parent or guardian to take notes for you. For young musicians, this only aids in building the bond between practicer and parent. 

Even better if your note taker is also your practice buddy! 

For young musicians, parents can assist as note-takers and even become practice buddies.

Chunk it

Chunking is an educational technique endorsed by the American Psychology Association. It involves, “the process by which the mind divides large pieces of information into smaller units (chunks) that are easier to retain in short-term memory.”  

Chunking is an EXCELLENT tool to use at every stage in a musician’s journey. I still use this technique to this day! When you break down difficult passages into smaller, playable chunks you are training yourself to play it correctly. Once you have perfected several chunks you can add them together and VOILA! (no, not the instrument) you have now perfected a new section of a previously impossible place in your music!

Encourage Exploration

Let your child explore the instrument and make their own music. Musical curiosity 

is a precious resource. There have been many studies that show how play aids in learning. Encouraging exploration and experimentation helps not just with musicality but also with technique building, now and in the future. 

Practice productively 

Practice doesn’t have to be a marathon. The better quality of practice you have, the less quantity you’ll need. Being mindful when your practice becomes less productive is good in not only fighting against burn out and frustration, but also will help curb potential injuries. Whenever you start to feel unfocused or highly fatigued, it’s time for a break. Shorter, more focused practice sessions will also be more productive than a several hour long practice session. 

Establish a Routine

Routine is your secret ally in creating and nurturing any aspect of life, but especially in music. If practicing is always an after though or only done when convenient, it will never happen to any degree of consistency to produce excellence and improvement. Just like creating the habit to brush your teeth (hopefully multiple times) every day was difficult at first, so might creating your practice habit. 

Find the best time of day for YOU to create music. Everyone is busy and has a unique schedule and lifestyle. Decide and create what works best for you.  You might find certain times of the day work best for your mental concentration, or even before or after other activities. Don’t hesitate to ask your teacher for help or suggestions. Their only goal in lessons is your success! Their expert advice will help you tailor a practice session to your needs and goals. 

Listen

Active listening is a cornerstone of musical development. Listening to music is such an integral part and actively contributes to musical growth. Immersing yourself into your pieces will only help accelerate your learning. However, make sure you create a balance between listening and practicing. Practicing shouldn’t be solely listening. 

Learning to broaden your musical horizons through listening is also very important! 

Engaging in active listening enhances your musical awareness and inspires you to chase after new musical inspiration, making you more aware of what might come next in your musical journey. 

Happy practicing!

❤️🎻