I know I've already written some of these thoughts in another post, but, maybe if I say it again or a little differently, it will be useful to you. Here are a few things you can do to help your practice time become effective rather than just time spent.
Tip 1: Just start. This may be the hardest part for many because it takes discipline to do something you know will require more than passive attention. Get your instrument out of its case, get your music on the stand, and tune. Your self-discipline will deepen and thank you.
Tip 2: Have goals and focus on them. You are practicing for a reason and that is to improve. There are elements in your music that will challenge your current abilities and that is a good thing. Find those things, make a plan to work on them, and then get to it. Don't let yourself get distracted. Turn off or silence any devices that may take your attention for those precious minutes of practice. Be in the room alone, so you won't feel the need to perform only the things you're already good at.
Tip 3: Work slowly. Play the difficult things at a slow tempo, or at least a comfortable one, so that you can accomplish the correct technique. If you practice something wrong fast that's the technique your muscles will remember and perform; but if you take the time to train yourself to play it right slowly, then all you'll need to do is gradually add the speed and you'll sound fabulous.
Tip 4: Be consistent. Practicing for shorter periods more frequently will help solidify your skill much better than a "marathon" practice session ever could. Find a regular time each day to work on your playing. If your schedule is irregular or kinda crazy, you will have to schedule practice time in with everything else. Remember, people always make time for something that is important to them.
Here's a short video on the topic. Enjoy!
Tip 1: Just start. This may be the hardest part for many because it takes discipline to do something you know will require more than passive attention. Get your instrument out of its case, get your music on the stand, and tune. Your self-discipline will deepen and thank you.
Tip 2: Have goals and focus on them. You are practicing for a reason and that is to improve. There are elements in your music that will challenge your current abilities and that is a good thing. Find those things, make a plan to work on them, and then get to it. Don't let yourself get distracted. Turn off or silence any devices that may take your attention for those precious minutes of practice. Be in the room alone, so you won't feel the need to perform only the things you're already good at.
Tip 3: Work slowly. Play the difficult things at a slow tempo, or at least a comfortable one, so that you can accomplish the correct technique. If you practice something wrong fast that's the technique your muscles will remember and perform; but if you take the time to train yourself to play it right slowly, then all you'll need to do is gradually add the speed and you'll sound fabulous.
Tip 4: Be consistent. Practicing for shorter periods more frequently will help solidify your skill much better than a "marathon" practice session ever could. Find a regular time each day to work on your playing. If your schedule is irregular or kinda crazy, you will have to schedule practice time in with everything else. Remember, people always make time for something that is important to them.
Here's a short video on the topic. Enjoy!
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