How to Start Practicing

from the sofa to the practice space

We’ve all been there. A giant list of gigs, concerts, recitals, or auditions. The list is long and overwhelming, and the desire to practice is low. Even though we know that regular practice is the key to success, it can still be difficult to find the motivation to do it on a daily basis.

I find that the longer my list of things to practice, the more I struggle to figure out how to make it all happen. I know I’m not alone in this.

So, here’s what I do:

1. Make a list of the repertoire you’re preparing

   1. organize the list however you like- alphabetical, by difficulty, by performance

2. Make a list of the dates you need the rep

   1. I keep a paper calendar and a digital calendar

3. Create a schedule/routine

   1. a few minutes a day is better than no minutes

4. Open your case

   1. if you don’t use a case, set up a practice spot with your needed materials and make them visible

Repertoire List

Seeing the repertoire I’m preparing in list form helps me tremendously. Sometimes I write it out by hand and other times I type it. I’ve tried spreadsheets, word doc lists, notes lists, and setlists on my iPad. Something about writing it by hand helps me the most.

Once the list is identified, I break it up either by difficulty or date or both!

Dates

Writing down the dates of performances and auditions helps organize your practice plan and strategy. Knowing when you need a piece of music prepared will inform you how much time you actually have to work on it in relationship to everything else you’re working on.

Routine

Establish a daily practice routine and tell someone about it. Accountability can be very helpful and motivating. We are more likely to follow through on a task or goal if we someone else knows about it.

It took me way too long to shift my mindset about practicing. A practice routine is a huge part of my job. I approached it with a student’s mindset for longer than I needed. I see this a lot actually…we stay in student mode longer than is helpful. If you are performing professionally, practice is part of your job. Period.

If you are a student and are reading this, start to shift your mindset from practicing as something you do for school to practicing for a lifetime of playing your instrument. I tell my students all the time, they are not learning something for one specific event or concert, but they are learning it for life.

Carving out designated practice time (work time) ensures you don’t run out of time in your day to practice. If one has time for 15 minutes of tv, one has time for 15 minutes of practice. Experiment with what time of day works best for you. Set an alarm and then go practice. Turn off your notifications and block the time and your mental space to work.

Sometimes we think that if we don’t practice for an hour, it isn’t worth it. We do this in all things, actually. When in fact, a 1 mile run is just great sometimes, a 10 minute yoga practice, also great, a few moments to rest might just be what you need. Getting caught up in a long stretch of practice time can make the task feel overwhelming and leads people to choose not to do it.

As a busy human, there are some days an hour of blocked off, uninterrupted time is a luxury or completely impossible. However, a short session is possible and beneficial. Our skills as musicians are biodegradable and must be tended to on a regular basis for lasting results.

Remember, you only have to practice on the days that end in “y.”

Open Your Case

This seems silly, but it works. If you don’t have a case for your instrument, set your music out on the stand or prepare your practice space in a way that you find inviting.

If my case is open, I am much more likely to go over to the instrument and pick it up to practice. Combine the open case with a cute practice space, and it makes it much more enjoyable.

We aren’t going to get it right all the time. Establishing routines and cultivating a healthy mindset around practicing takes time and practice on its own. We practice practicing and our practice is a practice (more on that in future weeks).

So, go open those cases friends. You might just enjoy it.