Practicing is the heart of progress in music. Whether you’re playing an instrument or working on your singing voice, practice isn’t just playing through pieces; it’s about intentional focus and consistent repetition. Here’s how to make each practice session work for you.
Practice Makes Progress – Not Perfection
The idea that “practice makes perfect” is actually a bit misleading. The goal of practice is progress, not perfection. With each session, you’re developing your skills, strengthening your muscles, and building your confidence. Perfect isn’t the aim; getting a little better every day is.
Warming Up: The Key to Success
No matter how eager you are to jump into playing or singing, a proper warm-up is essential. Start each session with scales and technical exercises to wake up the muscles you’ll be using. For instrumentalists, this means working through finger exercises. For vocalists, it’s about warming up your vocal cords with gentle scales and exercises. Think of warming up as laying the groundwork for a smooth practice session.
Target the Tricky Sections First
Once you’re warmed up, head straight to the new or challenging parts of your piece. These are the sections that need your focused energy and attention. Play or sing these tricky bits at least three times through to build muscle memory. Then, once you’ve worked through the challenging parts, you can go back and play through the entire piece from the beginning. This approach helps you tackle the toughest parts while you’re fresh.
Improvisation, Theory, or Songwriting
After you’ve practiced your main pieces, dedicate some time to improvisation, music theory, or songwriting. This part of practice encourages creativity, deepens your understanding of music, and helps you apply what you’ve learned in a personal way.
Minimum Practice: 15 Minutes, 3 Times a Week
To see any improvement, aim to practice for at least 15 minutes, three times a week. Spend 5 minutes on each component: warming up, working through your pieces, and finishing with improvisation or theory. But if you’re looking to progress to the next level each year—such as moving up a grade—a daily 30-minute practice is ideal.
Practice Within 24 Hours – The Science of Retention
Did you know that if you don’t practice something you’ve learned within 24 hours, you could forget up to 90% of the information? Studies show that consistent practice the day after a lesson is vital to retain new skills. If you’re serious about progressing, make it a habit to practice the day after your lesson.
For Parents: Supporting Practice at Every Age
Parental support is invaluable, not only for younger students but also for older ones. Having a parent in the room during lessons can make a huge difference in building a productive practice routine at home. By sitting in on sessions, parents can learn alongside their children, gaining insights into what’s being taught and how they can help at home.
You’re always welcome to join us in lessons, whether your child is just starting out or further along in their journey. Together, we can make practice a more supported and rewarding experience for every student.
Track Your Progress – Practice Charts & MyMusicStaff Portal
Make use of practice charts at home or log your practice in your MyMusicStaff portal to track your time and earn rewards. Seeing your progress week by week can be incredibly motivating!
Final Thought: Enjoy the Journey
Learning an instrument or developing your voice is a long, rewarding journey. Progress doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent practice, you’ll see real improvement. Remember, the goal is to enjoy making music, and the best way to get there is through regular, structured practice.
For more guidance on practicing at home, or for resources on how learning works, feel free to reach out. Happy practicing!
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