Practice Post: Tips to Help to Improve your Practice

Hi everyone,

I todays post I will be talking about tips to help improve your practice.

Short Practice Sessions

Break up your practice sessions into smaller chunks, as this will help you to focus a little better and it won't be as overwhelming as if you where to practice in one go. You might want to practice once in the morning, and then once in the afternoon; or you might to practice for 10 minutes, 20 minutes or 30 minutes at a time. Make sure that you take a break in between your practice sessions, and whilst you are practicing also make sure that you have a drink with you, so then you stay hydrated while you are practicing.

Have a Focus for Each Practice Session

If you decide to split your practice up into smaller, and more manageable sessions; you might also want a different focus for each practice session. Say for example you might want to start off by working on your scales and arpeggios for your first practice session, and then for your next practice you might want to work on your technique or learn a study; and then for your final practice session you then work on your pieces. You will need to figure out what would work best for you and your practice schedule, and find something that works best for you.

Take Your Time

If you take your time during your practice sessions you will be able to pick up on things that might not sound as it should, or if something about your technique or tone is off. At least by taking your time you will be able to listen out for it; and then you will be able to work on it. We all have 'off' practice days, or 'off' tone days.

Practice with a Metronome

Using a metronome during your practice will help you to keep in time, and get you used to playing on/ off the beat of the music. It should also help you to figure out where you are going wrong within the music that you are learning, so then you can work on it. When you are using a metronome always start on a slower bpm, so then you will be able to work on building to required tempo of the pieces that you are working on.

YouTube

YouTube is a brilliant resource to help you to find different versions of the pieces that you are learning, and by listening to a variety of different versions of these pieces you will be able to gain inspiration from what you have been listening to, and then incorporate ideas into your piece. It will also enable you to have a play around with tonal colours, phrasing, articulation and many other areas, so then you can produce a really nice version that you will really enjoy playing.