How to Practice

Tips for How to Practice

• Pick a quiet place to practice where you can focus.
• Pick a time of day to practice and develop a regular practice schedule/routine.
• Warm up to loosen the muscles you’ll be working.
• Posture - THINK - Play!
• Begin by working on the fundamentals such as scales, finger or bow exercises.
• Have specific goals.
• Practice SLOWLY.
• Practice what you can't play and zero in on the trickiest spots.
• Don't practice mistakes; fix them immediately.
• Identify what you are trying to improve!  Finger, hand, arm position?  Intonation?  Rhythm?  Vibrato? Tempo?  Memorization?  Posture?
• Campaign to SAY NO to mindless practicing! Your brain is your best teacher!
• Listen to yourself. (Know what you’re listening for--rhythm, pitch, articulation, tone, phrasing).
• Recall keywords used at your lesson by your teacher. (Learn to listen for those words at lesson to help you practice in the same way at home.)
• Ask yourself questions. How is this supposed to Feel? Sound? Look?
• Stop practicing when you are too tired to play, too frustrated to concentrate or can no longer focus.
• End on a positive note such as ending your practice session with review pieces or pieces that you can play well. 
• Practice often but not necessarily for a great amount of time! Several 20 minute sessions may accomplish more than 1 hour at a time.
• Good practice habits will result in more productive lessons and successful performances.