Use Methodical Practice Habits

Steve Raybine:

Blog #55:

Use Methodical Practice Habits

It seems that many music students suffer from ineffective practice habits. Because they are inefficient or non-productive in their musical preparation, they often become terribly frustrated due to their perceived lack of musical accomplishments. So, how do you "fight the frustration" that can occur during your practice routine? I recommend learning to adopt a methodical approach when practicing music.

First of all, when you apply a methodical approach when practicing, you 'break things down' into smaller musical increments. In order to accurately play many musical passages, you should isolate the 'little spots' that need your attention. For instance, as a pianist, perhaps your fingering needs work on a specific scalar passage. Or, maybe there are a brief series of chords that are particularly difficult to execute cleanly and precisely. Isolate these troublesome areas and start to practice them at a slower velocity until you can play them accurately and confidently. If you discontinue practicing difficult sections in a haphazard and inaccurate manner, you should be able to minimize your frustration.

Some of my drum students have difficulty executing certain rudimental passages in pieces that they are preparing for their lesson, or for concerts and music contests. Recently, one of my 8th grade percussionists was preparing a piece that he is required to play for his audition for Middle School All-State Concert Band. I showed him how to isolate various technical passages that were causing him difficulty. After I broke the music down into smaller increments, he was finally able to execute the numerous passages that were causing him problems and much frustration with the music. Now, he has a method of how to adjust his practicing in order to play the music correctly--eliminating the random approach that resulted in a sloppy and imprecise performance.

Another benefit of employing a methodical practice regimen is clarifying what music needs to be practiced and 'when' you actually practice it. I recommend making a list, an outline or a chart of what you need to work on in order to accomplish your musical goals. Frequently, musicians practice only what they 'want' to practice, not what 'needs' to be practiced. And, even if they know what should be practiced, they might not know how best to practice the passage(s). Identifying those musical sections that necessitate extra practice time will at least insure that everything that needs to be addressed will be accounted for in a timely manner.

Simply put, employing a methodical approach to practicing music should make you a more skilled musician. For those musicians that use a more organized methodology when practicing by systematically dissecting the music, or identifying those sections that need extra attention, they frequently progress at a faster rate in their musical studies. So, get smart and fight the frustration by employing a methodical approach when practicing music.

Copyright 2007 Steve Raybine

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