We all know we need to practise. It’s an important part of learning an instrument and we know it’s how we improve. Remember that feeling when you master a piece you’ve been wanting to learn for ages? That’s because you practised! The feeling of achievement and enjoyment when you perform is exactly what you do this for. When you need some motivation between lessons, here are ten tips and activities from us to help structure, give you some ideas and remember to celebrate the small achievements.
1. Practising in smaller chunks is often easier to manage than one long session. You can watch professional guitarist Anders Rye talk about the way he tackles practice here for more inspiration.
2. Every morning, decide when that day you are going to practise, and for how long. This can be as long as an hour (if you’re more advanced or feeling really motivated) and as little as ten minutes.
3. Where you practice can make a big difference. Set your space up so that you have everything you need and that it makes you feel good. Feeling the part and having the space just as you want it is a huge motivator in itself.
4. Your teacher will often give you notes on your pieces and technique in your lessons. If you do learn with a teacher and have a practice log, have a look at these first and then make a list. If you are self-taught, just skip point b. This list should include:
a. a brief warm up,
b. what your teacher has asked you to focus on,
c. what you feel you need to focus on – make at least three goals eg ‘I want to master F# melodic minor’ ‘I want to play bar 17 brilliantly’
d. what you enjoy!
Breaking things down into smaller chunks makes it easier; and you can also celebrate ticking each thing off your list!
5. The list you make will give you structure and help you keep track of your progress.
6. Remember, you may need to practise the same scale, bar or even note several times in each session and over many sessions. That’s OK. Practice makes perfect.
7. Don’t forget context. Understanding your instrument, the period the pieces you are practising come from, and the history of the composer are all great ways to bring music to life. When you put down your instrument, perhaps spend a little time learning more about the music.
8. Learn from the best. Find out how musicians you admire practice. So many musicians have advice available online. eg Nicola Benedetti’s series with Classic FM ‘With Nicky’ www.classicfm.com/artists/ nicola-benedetti/nicola-benedetti-new- video-series/, Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s tips can be found here: www.thestrad. com/teaching/8-practice-tips-from- sheku-kanneh-mason/8493.article, Dave Grohl’s project Play explores practise and finding new challenges in music here: www. youtube.com/watch?v=e05H80-k0mY
9. Wider listening is so important. Listen to a variety of professionals and musicians you admire playing the piece(s) you are learning.
10. Remember, learning your instrument is supposed to be fun! Remember to build in time to play the things you love too and choose things that showcase what you CAN do.
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