These tips will help you see results quickly.
1. Make an atmosphere
Find the best setup for you. You can choose to focus in a quiet room or more stimulating surroundings. Be consistent. This will allow you to get into the right mindset when you start practicing.
You will save a lot of time if you keep all the essentials close at hand. If you don’t waste too much time fiddling with technology, technology can be a great aid. You can download apps for free that are a metronome and a tuner or a timer. These are all essential tools to practice.
2. Get warm
A warm-up is important for any physical exercise. You don’t have to do the same introduction every time. Instead, let your mind wander and think about other things. A warm-up is more than just getting your muscles moving. It’s a chance to prepare your body for work. Take the time to assess how you feel, what you’re breathing and what tension you have.
Warm-ups don’t have to include 15 minutes of scales. You can try other technical studies or sight-reading. When you’re going to scale, think about the keys of the pieces that you’re rehearsing. You can revisit a component that you know well and then enjoy it as a cool-down.
3. Set a goal
It’s not the same as practicing, even if you play all your old music. You will progress faster and more effectively if you have a goal in mind for every practice session. Next, break down each goal into smaller, more focused goals. As you reach each goal, you’ll feel great.
4. Realistic!
Our teachers tell us as children that we should not leave it until the next night. It’s something we all have done at one time or another. If there is an intimidating part to practice, it can be easy to forget about it. It is more efficient to practice little by little and gradually chip away at your enemy day by day.
It’s about quality, not quantity. You will have more willpower if you practice smarter than you do longer. You will overcome difficult areas more easily if you set small, realistic goals. Also, you won’t feel guilty if you don’t complete everything.
5. Recognize and solve the problem
You shouldn’t play the same passage or piece repeatedly, and you shouldn’t ignore a problem area. You need to identify where you’re stumbling or using incorrect fingering. Then, figure out the problem and plan how you will fix it.
Each problem can be treated differently. You can practice rhythmic issues by practicing the rhythm on your own or using a metronome to only one note. This will allow you not to have to think about the notes. You will be able to reintroduce the notes much more easily once you have mastered the rhythm. Once you have overcome the problem, don’t immediately go back to the beginning of the passage or piece. Instead, practice working in and out the phrase for a few measures before and after to ensure continuity.
6. Musicians are more than just playing the notes.
Understanding your instrument’s repertoire, history, and the reasons behind the music is important. If you sing in another language, ensure you have translated the libretto to understand the meaning. Listen to the best music and recordings and analyze what makes them special.
It can be very helpful to visualize yourself playing the music. It doesn’t matter if you imagine yourself playing a part in the practice or concert hall, but taking some time to look at the music and hear the sounds you want can make a big difference in your mental and physical performance. You can take your music along with you if you are short on time or find yourself stuck in a quiet place like a train station.
7. Your music is yours to write
Do not be afraid to write on your scores. Some music should be kept in a safe place, but you can photocopy the score and make it as easy as possible to understand. Make a mental note of what you missed. Don’t be afraid of writing in the correct fingering or highlighting dynamics if it’s a regular occurrence.
8. Keep a record of yourself
You can record your practice sessions and listen back to the recordings. This will allow you to spot things you might want to change or do differently. You may even consider recording your practice sessions.
9. Get in the right mindset
We all make mistakes. You don’t have to be under pressure or spend a lot of time playing something you are familiar with and enjoy. We all play because we love the sound and feel of the instrument. It can be easy to become frustrated and lose sight of the fun part.
10. Reward yourself
Remind yourself of how incredible it is to play an instrument, and then treat yourself after each practice session!