Practising Your Instrument

There's an old joke that goes "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" "Practice, practice, practice." The thing is that there's plenty of truth in it. It's all very well taking lessons, they can show you what to do, the techniques to use. But the only way to really learn them is by practicing, and that requires a commitment of time and effort.
How Often Should You Practice
You need to put in time on your instrument every day, there's no question about that. It doesn't matter if you're a child or adult, it's necessary. Make sure you set aside time each evening to do this. The ideal thing is not to think of it as work, but as relaxation - playing can be excellent stress relief, even something as mundane as scales.Practice Routine
As far as possible, settle down to do your practice at the same time each day, once the evening meal's over and things are calm in the house. Close the door so you're not disturbed.It's not always how long your practice, but how well you practice. You need to concentrate on what you're doing, and not think of it as a chore. It's meant to be enjoyment. That said, however, you should plan on taking at least half an hour daily.
Ideally, you should split your practice time between scales and the piece (or pieces) your teacher has given you to work on. Begin with the scales to warm up your hands, spending almost half your time on these.
Whatever piece you have to undertake should push you a little, and it will take a full week of playing to master it. Initially, play it through very slowly, making note of the areas that challenge you. Play it through several times the first day to become familiar with it. Do that each day, but then focus on the areas that need work until you're fluent with them. By the fifth day you should be able to perform a flowing version of the entire piece.
The Importance of Practice
Teaching can only give you so much. You can be shown how to do something (or how not to), but you need to imprint that in your fingers and your mind, so they do it automatically.With an instrument, you only get out of it as much as you put in (unless you're one of the ridiculously talented few). That makes practice a necessity, and the more of a novice you are, the more disciplined you need to be about it.
If you're dealing with a child learning an instrument, it can be harder enforcing practice time. The trick is to make it seem fun, and to be involved yourself. The more passion for playing you can instil into your child, the more they'll have for practicing and playing.
Practice lets you gauge your progress week by week. A piece that might seem impossible on Monday can be conquered by Friday, and that gives a sense of achievement. But always remember, practice is the true key to success.
- How To Play The Harmonica
- Taking Up a New Instrument
- Taking Up a New Instrument as an Adult
- Beginner's Teething Troubles
- Buying A Secondhand Instrument
- Looking After Your Instrument
- Making Progress
- How to Play Brass Instruments
- How to Play Drums and Percussion
- How to Be a DJ
- How to Play Strings
- How to Play The Keyboard
- How to Play Woodwind
- Programming Your Music CD
- How to Play Guitar
- How to Read Music
- Choosing Your Instrument
- How to Play Electric Bass
Re: The History of Opera
I love music
Re: Do You Need Qualifications to Be a Music Therapist?
O am interested n volunteer work i have one passion which is music i write sell and perform also…
Re: The History of Reggae
sorry that was my son messing around but I love reggae and have studied the effect of music on the brain and it is quite amazing if I do…
Re: Singing in a Choir
You know there is a singing trainer nearby Carshalton
Re: Group Lessons: Suzuki Method
Hello, this isn't true. Children start with individual lessons as well as having group lessons. Group lessons are used to…
Re: Changing Teachers
@oliver. There is a problem with Jane's email unfortunately. Can you please send an email to cb@pts.com and I'll sort it out for you.
Re: Changing Teachers
Hello, This is a question to the site admin. I have tried to contact you several times and can't get a response from anyone. I have sent a…
Re: Do You Need Qualifications to Be a Music Therapist?
hmmm.music is really what makes me happy .i can 't stop thinking of it thank you .
Re: Mixing Down the Music Tracks
Good clear account and very useful. Would be useful to expand to include a few more technical points on particular FX's and…
Re: The History of Pop Music
Thanks for sharing this historical tutorials regarding the pop Music. After reading this tutorials. there are may question are coming…