Effective Practice Habits

from violinist and teacher Connie Sunday:

What is the best way to develop effective practice habits?

QUESTION: My goal for right now is making sure I set aside time to practice every day. Any ideas other than will-power?

TEACHER RESPONSE: I have lots of ideas about this. There is this wonderful book called How to get your child to practice without resorting to violence. The ideas also apply to adults, in a self-monitoring way. But mainly I suggest the following:

1. Don't think of it as "practicing." Think of it as "spending time with the instrument."
   
   
2. There are sort of two ways of "practicing": the wrong way and the right way. The wrong way is sort of watching the clock and sawing away for a certain number of minutes. The right way is to forget the clock and actually PLAY the instrument with intense focus.
   
   
3. You should never "practice" for more than 20 minutes at a stretch. If you can do two, three, or more such "practice" sessions a day, you will get good at playing the instrument.
   
   
4. But never underestimate the value of "practicing" even just for 10 minutes. If you're really listening, your muscles and musicianship will benefit.
   
   
5. Having even a general idea of both short-term and long-term goals is helpful. Keep track of what you're doing, and certainly what is required from the teacher every week (if you have a teacher). One of the best books you can get on this is Barry Green's The Inner Game of Music. I think every working musician alive has read this book.
   
   
6. I require that all students have a three-ring notebook with filler paper, and I do lots of handouts and put their current work on a page in the front of the book every week. It's helpful to keep records of what you're doing and where you're going. If you have a good notebook, you can always refer to it if you forget something. I give students who have been with me a year an Elson's Pocket Dictionary.

PRACTICE BOOKS/CHARTS:
Madeline Bruser, The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music from the Heart
Burton Kaplan, Musician's Practice Log
Burton Kaplan, A Rhythm Sight-Reader: Bk 1, Bk 2
Burton Kaplan, Practicing for Artistic Success: The Musician's Guide to Self-Empowerment
Stuart Edward Dunkel, The Audition Process: Anxiety Management and Coping Strategies (Juilliard Performance Guides, No 3)
Margret Elson, Passionate Practice: The Musician's Guide to Learning, Memorizing, and Performing
Jack Grassel, Power Practicing
Don Greene, Audition Success (A Theatre Arts Book)
Don Greene, Performance Success: Performing Your Best Under Pressure (Theatre Arts)