Practice Tips

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PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT

Think of every sport and/or discipline - practice is a vital part of a good performance. Whether it be kicking field goals, turning a double play, solving a quadratic equation, or performing Mozart, there simply cannot be a decent, respectable performance without practice.

Everyone should practice their instrument at least 15 minutes a day. Not "perform" for 15 minutes, or "just play through this once or twice", but real, honest practice. This sounds good and reasonable (15 minutes is not that long!), but how does one practice effectively?

Here are a few easy steps to practicing:

1. SET A GOAL

Do you want to play a scale perfectly in tune? Play a scale with a certain bowing pattern? Knock out that tough section in the orchestra music?

2. PRACTICE SLOWLY

Do not buzz through your practice. Be slow and deliberate - slow, careful motions that allow you to actually think about what you are doing. Do it correctly at least 3 times (7 is ideal) before adding speed.

3. BE PRECISE - use a metronome!!

Do not give in to the idea that, "Eh, it's good enough." Make it be perfect. A little elbow grease now will help a ton later. And remember this: when you master a technique, you should not have to relearn it - everything you do to help yourself really does help yourself!

4. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

If a bowing or rhythm is tripping you up, alter it some way in your practice. If you have a bunch of fast sixteenth notes, play them in groups of 2 or 3 instead of 4...maybe play them with a dotted rhythm. If bowings are giving your arm fits, do each note separately, then slowly add in the slurs, hooks, or tricky parts. If you are having trouble with intonation, try playing with double stops or open strings. Use your ear to make sure you are doing the right thing - don't mindlessly go through things.

5. MAKE THE LAST THING A PERFORMANCE

After practicing your skill, make the last thing you do a performance of it. Prove to yourself (and/or an audience - pets, stuffed animals, parents, etc.) that you can accomplish your goal. If you don't perform it perfectly, do it again.