We all want to get better at our music, right? Well, the only way to do that is to practice! Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to best utilize their practice time. In this post, we will talk about 1.) how to structure your practice session so you can get the most out of your time, 2.) what to focus on for each piece you are practicing, and 3.) resources you need to have the best practice session ever.
How to Structure your Practice Session
When it comes to practicing your instrument, managing your time is the best way for you to quickly and efficiently learn your music. Ask yourself these two questions before coming up with a structured
1. What are my goals?
Are you preparing to perform in a concert or give a recital? Do you want to learn a specific piece so you can play it for someone special? Or maybe you just want to become a better musician, which is wonderful. The most important thing is for you to identify the reason you are practicing. For more on goal setting, check out this post here.
2. What do I need to do to accomplish those goals?
Once you have your goals (i.e. you know why you are practicing), break it down into manageable pieces. Figure out what you need to do specifically to meet those goals.
For example: if you’re preparing for a recital, you might need to practice for a set amount of time every day. If you want to learn a specific piece, you should work on that piece every day in your practicing, focusing on things like notes, rhythms,
Once you know what your goals are and how to best accomplish them, you can structure your practice session accordingly.
Tips for Structuring Your Practicing
There’s no one right way to practice your instrument.
What works for me might not work for you!
But while there is no “one size fits all”, there is one thing that every musician should do:
Practice every day.
If you want to see progress, you must put forth the effort. And once you’ve finished learning that piece or your concert is over, you will be so glad you did put in the effort! Learning music is hard, but it’s worth it.
But how should you structure your practice time to get the most out of it?
The first thing you need to do is determine how much time every day you want to practice. This depends on your skill level and your goals; the more experience you have and the harder the goal, the longer you should practice. If you can’t commit to hours a day, you can work up to it! Or if you don’t have time for hours a day, then practice smart. Manage your time well, and you will be reaching your goals in no time.
Here’s how to do that:
The best way to structure your practice sessions is to break your music down into bite-sized pieces. Then divide your practice time into sections and work on those bite-sized pieces one at a time.
*Side note: Focus 100% on what you are currently working on. If you let your mind wander to other things, you will not be as productive in learning your music. This is the best way to effectively and efficiently learn your music!
If you practice for 30 minutes a day, your session might look something like this:
If you practice for longer than 30 minutes a day, expand this model. Work on a piece for 20 or 30 minutes instead of 10. No matter how long you practice, you should be focused on learning the music and solving problems that arise.
What to Focus on for Each Piece in Your Practice Session
Now that you know how to structure your practicing, let’s talk about what you need to focus on for each piece in your practice session. This will vary depending on the music (and what your goals are), so I can’t
But here is a list of things you should probably work on no matter what you are practicing:
If you are struggling in one or more of these areas, then choose one to focus on during your practice session.
Resources for the Best Practice Session Ever
Here are some of my favorite practice resources for musicians of all levels:
1. A practice journal.
Because studies have shown that writing down and tracking your progress helps you make progress (check out this article detailing the benefits of a practice log in regards to exercise – it’s the same concept), I’m a big proponent of practice journals. Here are some of my favorites:
This one combines staff paper and blank paper so you can write down your notes as well as jot any musical ideas down. Get it here.
And this practice journal has space for you to write your goals, accomplishments, and things you learned during your practice session. It has guided questions for you to answer to get you thinking about how you spent your time and what to work on during your next practice. Find it here!
2. A metronome.
Metronomes are amazing tools to help you learn how to play things up to tempo. It can also help you practice playing through mistakes! My favorite metronome is the free app Pro Metronome, but you can find good ones just about anywhere.
3. A scales book.
You can’t go wrong with a good book of scales! There are so many good ones, but of course, depending on your instrument, certain books might not work for you. Here’s my favorite piano scales book (get it here):
If you’re a violinist, check out this list of scales books here. And if you play any other instrument, do a little research to find the best one for you!
4. A tuner.
If you play any instrument other than the piano, you will probably need a good tuner to use in your practice sessions. Here’s a list of the best ones for you to browse through!
As always, I can’t talk about every amazing music resource in one blog post. Be sure to check out my Tools and Resources page for more of my favorite music resources!
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. But it doesn’t cost you any extra! And I would never promote a product I did not love.
The most important resource for a good practice session is your motivation to improve. And you will if you practice consistently. Now take these tips and go have the best practice session ever!
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