Enquiries or Bookings - When we study music, whatever the instrument or style, we inevitable will practice. Early in our study this can take the form of learning songs or etudes given from our teacher, scales and arpeggios, rhythms or other musical “ingredients” or it could take the form of picking out songs, melodies or bass lines by ear as we listen. Later in our development we practice these fundamentals and also note (or chart) reading, improvisation, composition or any other aspect we are seeking to master. Here are some principals that I’ve discovered which should help you, wherever you are on your musical journey.
1) Have a stated goal. Whether it’s to play C Major in quarter notes at 60 bpm (beats a minute for the uninitiated) or to perfect a part of a song, whatever your goal, have it in mind when you start. Keep focused upon executing it to the best of your ability and if your mind wanders or you begin to noodle and play something unrelated gently bring yourself back.
2) Allot a specific amount of time. Humans tend to have an attention span of around twenty minutes after which our minds can begin to wander. Rather than aim for an hour or two try setting a 10, 15 or 20 minute time span to work on one thing. Science and experience have shown me that it’s very effective to practice for a short period, multiple times. At very busy periods of my musical life I will work 25 minute bursts with 5 minute breaks for 4/5 hours or more. Within that I may revisit something I was working on two hours ago and I always find that this method works really well, especially for absorbing or memorizing new music.
3) Be kind to yourself. Often we expect results very quickly or instantly and while music’s rewards are directly in relation to how hard we work we should always strive to work slowly and diligently. Over time these methodical and patient acts will pay off as we “level up” into new forms of expression so do remember that all the best things come to those who wait.
4) When you are comfortable with the material you are practising play it to a metronome, rhythm loop or backing track / play along. Start slow. If you have trouble, slow down, if you nail it, speed it up a little. I use the DM1 drum machine app, iRealPro is fantastic for jazz and pop song play along also. Start slow and stay in time best you can!
