Practice Tips
A successful performance is a series of good habits. To achieve these good habits practice slowly, thoughtfully, and often. Learn one thing at a time to avoid making mistakes. Mistakes, when repeated, become bad habits; which can interfere with future learning.
Bite Sized Practicing
Thoughtful practice is like eating an apple. You cannot eat the whole apple at once because you would choke. But if you take small bites and chew carefully you can enjoy your delicious snack!
Before You Practice
Identify a small goal to work on during your practice session. The more specific the better. Select a small number of measures to work on, usually 1 - 4.
Steps for Thoughtful Practice
1) Clap & Count the Rhythm
a. Count the subdivision while clapping the rhythm.
b. Labeling the counts can be helpful when learning an unfamiliar rhythm
2) Sing the Note Names
a. This step will help you learn the song without having to worry about the process of playing it on your instrument.
3) Sing the Finger Numbers
a. Move your fingers on your instrument while you sing
b. Only use your left hand, do not pluck or bow
4) Play pizzicato
a. This step will teach your left hand what to do
b. Check to make sure you have good left hand technique (using the correct finger/sinking into string)
c. Match what you are playing pizzicato with what you have sung
5) Shadow Bow
a. This step will teach your right hand what to do
b. Place the bow in your elbow or underneath the strings and practice moving the correct part of the bow in the right direction
c. Check to make sure you have a good right hand technique (bow hold/bowstroke)
d. Match what you are playing with the rhythm you have clapped
6) Arco
a. Play as written with both right and left hands together
b. Identify Goal Tempo, and practice 50 bpm slower
c. Play selection 5 times in a row perfectly, then increase tempo by 10 bpm
d. Repeat step C until goal tempo is reached
After Steps for Thoughtful Practice
Once each selection is learned, repeat step 6 for each selection starting at the beginning of the piece, adding one selection at a time until the entire piece is played though. This much repetition after thoughtful and careful practice results in good habits.
Additional Practice Strategies
· Create a practice schedule and stick to it! When are you going to practice this week and for how long? Post it somewhere everyone can see!
· Practice more often, but not necessarily for long periods of time. I recommend 5 days a week with 15-minute practice sessions.
· You are never too busy to practice! Practice multiple times a day, for short periods of time. For example, three – 5-minute – practice sessions a day is perfect.
· Have specific goals when you practice – do not just play through the piece over and over, hoping it gets better. If you only achieve one goal when you practice, you have gotten better, and that practice session was a success.
· Create a quiet practice area away from distractions
· The biggest problem with practicing can be getting started – try leaving your instrument out of the case, ready to go (in a safe area)
· Try practicing in front of a mirror for immediate feedback! Recording yourself is helpful as well.
Bite Sized Practicing
Thoughtful practice is like eating an apple. You cannot eat the whole apple at once because you would choke. But if you take small bites and chew carefully you can enjoy your delicious snack!
Before You Practice
Identify a small goal to work on during your practice session. The more specific the better. Select a small number of measures to work on, usually 1 - 4.
Steps for Thoughtful Practice
1) Clap & Count the Rhythm
a. Count the subdivision while clapping the rhythm.
b. Labeling the counts can be helpful when learning an unfamiliar rhythm
2) Sing the Note Names
a. This step will help you learn the song without having to worry about the process of playing it on your instrument.
3) Sing the Finger Numbers
a. Move your fingers on your instrument while you sing
b. Only use your left hand, do not pluck or bow
4) Play pizzicato
a. This step will teach your left hand what to do
b. Check to make sure you have good left hand technique (using the correct finger/sinking into string)
c. Match what you are playing pizzicato with what you have sung
5) Shadow Bow
a. This step will teach your right hand what to do
b. Place the bow in your elbow or underneath the strings and practice moving the correct part of the bow in the right direction
c. Check to make sure you have a good right hand technique (bow hold/bowstroke)
d. Match what you are playing with the rhythm you have clapped
6) Arco
a. Play as written with both right and left hands together
b. Identify Goal Tempo, and practice 50 bpm slower
c. Play selection 5 times in a row perfectly, then increase tempo by 10 bpm
d. Repeat step C until goal tempo is reached
After Steps for Thoughtful Practice
Once each selection is learned, repeat step 6 for each selection starting at the beginning of the piece, adding one selection at a time until the entire piece is played though. This much repetition after thoughtful and careful practice results in good habits.
Additional Practice Strategies
· Create a practice schedule and stick to it! When are you going to practice this week and for how long? Post it somewhere everyone can see!
· Practice more often, but not necessarily for long periods of time. I recommend 5 days a week with 15-minute practice sessions.
· You are never too busy to practice! Practice multiple times a day, for short periods of time. For example, three – 5-minute – practice sessions a day is perfect.
· Have specific goals when you practice – do not just play through the piece over and over, hoping it gets better. If you only achieve one goal when you practice, you have gotten better, and that practice session was a success.
· Create a quiet practice area away from distractions
· The biggest problem with practicing can be getting started – try leaving your instrument out of the case, ready to go (in a safe area)
· Try practicing in front of a mirror for immediate feedback! Recording yourself is helpful as well.
