Practice Tips for the Busy Musician

How we spend our time is a reflection of our priorities. If you are a serious musician then you will need to dedicate time to your craft. Yet we all have days, weeks, and even months when we become very busy. Some more than others! So, when our time is limited it is imperative to keep ourselves engaged and to make the most out of our practice time. Here are a few tips:

1. Have a schedule. Map out your day in advance and take into account everything that you need to accomplish. Then block of time(s) of the day that are exclusively devoted to practice. Personally, I prefer early mornings because I know that I am focused and can exercise more control over that portion of my day. Do your best to have a regular schedule so practice becomes a habit.
2. Use your time wisely. Are you caught up with your work for the day? Have you already completed your practice time, and then by some minor miracle you find yourself with a free hour? Then use it wisely! Think ahead. Can you run an errand that will make things easier tomorrow? Working ahead today will reduce interruptions to your practice time tomorrow.
3. Never neglect your fundamentals. When time is at a premium it can be tempting to reduce the portion of your practice that is devoted to fundamentals. It can be easy to become fixated on your upcoming performance. However, your fundamentals will give you the skill set necessary to succeed at this performance!
4. Vary your fundamental routine. Let’s assume that your low register is a point of emphasis. You could use exercises, tunes by ear, etudes, or excerpts to address this area of your playing. A little variety will keep things more interesting.
5. Create a rotation. If you are working on five pieces of music and your time allows for you to practice four in any given day, then use a five day rotation to ensure that you address all of your repertoire equitably. Allocate a specific amount of time for each task. Vary the order and amount of time dedicated to each piece. This will add variety, increase your focus, and help you to make the most out of your time.
6. Set reasonable goals. Public performances can serve as an excellent motivation. And after all, we practice in order to make music! Create a modest challenge but be careful not to overextend yourself.
7. Play with others. Whether it is a duet partner, chamber ensemble, or large ensemble, it is important to collaborate with others. Your commitment to that ensemble or individuals should motivate you to practice. You will learn a lot about your playing, and most importantly, it is fun!
8. Finally, keep it going! Dedicating yourself to music is not a New Year’s Resolution. It is a lifestyle! If you work, you will get better. If you get better it will be more fun. If it is more fun then you will be willing to work harder.

GOOD LUCK