Efficient Practice
By Gerald Klickstein.
Author and founder of The Musician’s Way
“Practicing well is virtually an art in itself –
the art of achieving economy of time and means.”
–David Soyer, cellist (The Musician’s Way, p. 20)
When we practice well, we don’t just get great results; we also reach our goals with optimal efficiency.
We work with clear intentions and smart strategies to quickly bring music to concert-ready condition.
Although many professionals practice economically, I’ve found that few students do. So here are 4 tips to help rising performers get the most out of their practice time.
1. Pinpoint Goals
For starters, divide a composition into sections – the trickier the music, the smaller the sections – and then identify problem spots in each chunk.
Next, before you begin a practice session, map out a series of small objectives.
2. Keep to a Schedule
Regular, short practice sessions typically prove more productive than marathons. In fact, with your goals in focus, you can practice meaningfully whenever a window of time opens, even if it’s just for 5 or 10 minutes.
Still, planning numerous practice stints takes organization, so consider using the free downloads on MusiciansWay.com to help you structure your time and to reinforce healthy habits (e.g., take frequent breaks).
3. Use Targeted Strategies
Different problems call for different practice strategies. For instance, the methods you use to memorize are distinct from the ones you employ to surmount technical challenges.
Pages 54-70 of The Musician’s Way document diverse problem-solving tactics such as varying rhythms and omitting then reinserting pitches.
As you plan your practice, think about the strategies you’ll use so that you enter the practice room primed to work.
4. Pace Yourself
With your goals, schedule, and strategies mapped out, you can better predict how long it will take you to master pieces.
So, trust in your practice skills, and set a pace that allows you to learn deeply as well as avoid injury and fatigue.
For one, start earlier on tough passages and review them regularly, taking care not to over-repeat. For two, set time limits for working on sections, and vary the order and ways in which you tackle them.
Most of all, take pleasure the mastering process and bring soulfulness to every note you play or sing.
See Chapter 3 of The Musician’s Way
Please share your thoughts on efficient practice techniques and habits.
© 2011 Gerald Klickstein
Republished by permission
Photo © Losevsky Pavel, licensed from Shutterstock.com
