Practice Strategies

1.      SET-UP YOU SPACE

• • • • Quiet Location    

      • Proper chair

      • Music Stand at the correct level

      • Proper lighting

      • Chromebook for metronome and video

2.      REGULAR PRACTICE TIMES

• • • • Set the same time aside every day to practice, just like if you were on a sports team, they would practice at the same time so that it becomes part of your schedule.

3.      POSTURE

• • • • Warm-ups without music so you may focus on your posture.  

4.       ORGANIZE & DEVELOP PRACTICE TIME: Plan each practice session by setting realistic and obtainable goals.  Ask yourself these questions:

• • • • What is the goal of this particular practice session?

      • Am I playing with proper posture and position?

      • Am I playing the correct pitches and rhythms?

      • Am I playing to a steady pulse?

      • Am I playing in tune?

      • Am I playing with a good sound?

      • Am I avoiding the difficult parts?

5.      WHAT TO DO WITH A DIFFICULT PASSAGE:

• • • • Isolate the problem: is it left or right hand?

      • Count the rhythms out loud

      • Write in the counting in your music

      • Clap the rhythms

      • Sing and finger the notes

      • Shadow-bow the passage

      • Say the bowing out loud

      • Begin at a slower tempo and gradually increase the speed

      • Repeat as often as necessary

      • Play through a passage six times correctly

      • Once the hard part is good, add it to a bigger part

      • Vary the rhythms and bowings

      • Play rhythm on open strings with correct bowing

      • Make a video of yourself and watch it with the book 

      • Play for someone at home

      • listen to a recording

      • pizzicato the part to get it in your left hand fingers

6.      WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME FRUSTRATED

• • • • Take a short break and come back

      • Take a deep breath

      • Ask for help – that is why we are here

      • Stay optimistic – this is hard work – remember that with practice, you are improving