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When learning a musical instrument, it can be both rewarding and fulfilling. But it also can be a bit frustrating at times! It requires a lot of patience, dedication, and consistent practice. Practice is the key to honing your skills, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, and is the only way to achieve your goals.
Today we’re going to explore different practice tips to help ensure that you’re getting the most out of your practice!
Tip #1 - Set Goals
Even before you start practicing, set clear goals that are achievable and specific! This could be improving your sight reading skills, learning a new song, or mastering a technique. No matter what you’re practicing, always have a main objective to help you remain focused and motivated.
Tip #2 - Build a Routine
We already know that consistency is the key to making progress and we can apply this to our practice routine. Find a practice schedule that works for you that allows you enough time to practice daily. And remember: short, focused practice sessions tend to be more effective than lengthy, sporadic sessions!
"It's not about perfect, it's about effort, and when you bring that effort every single day, that's where transformation happens, that's how change occurs."
- Julián Michaels
Tip #3 - Warm-Ups & Exercises
Athletes warm up for their sports by doing stretches and different exercises to ensure their joints are loosened up and to prevent injury. Musicians also should warm up before playing to help us loosen up and connect with our body and instrument. Try starting your practice sessions with basic warm-ups to improve the quality of your practice. For vocalists, this can be seen as doing lip trills/buzzing, sirens, or breathing exercises. For instruments such as guitar, piano, or violin, this can be doing scales to help with finger dexterity. Not only will warm-ups help with your overall performance, but also to prevent any injuries.
Tip #4 - Break It Down
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by complex and challenging sections of a song when practicing? Try taking whatever section you’re struggling with and break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Work on each piece and once you feel comfortable and more confident, move on to the next, and repeat. Once each piece feels solid, try putting them all together. Remember to start out slower and you can gradually increase your speed as you go on.
Tip #5 - Metronomes Are Our Friend!
Metronomes have been around since 1815 and have proven to be an incredibly useful tool for musicians! They can help develop a sense of rhythm and maintain a steady beat. Practicing with a metronome can help improve your timing as well as build a strong foundation for playing with other musicians. With the help of technology, we have the capability to use metronomes on different apps on our phones and tablets!
Tip #6 - Technique
One of the most important things a musician can do is prioritize their technique. This includes the proper posture, hand positions, bowing technique, and more. Different instruments require various techniques, but each good technique is valuable to every musician. Focusing on correct technique can prevent bad habits and avoid injuries. A good teacher will help guide their students to understand good technique.
Tip #7 - Recording
Recording your practice sessions allows you to assess your performance and recognize any areas that need improvement. Technology today allows us to record both audio and video, which we can use to our advantage! Audio recordings allow us to identify tone, diction, and much more, whereas video recording allows us to check out our posture and our overall performance. This also serves as a great tool to track your progress over time!
Tip #8 - Mindful Practicing
To get the most out of your practice, try to avoid distractions. Create an environment that you feel comfortable in and one that allows you to focus. Be sure to concentrate on the music and be aware of your practice habits.
Tip #9 - Experiment Artistically
Music is not just playing notes; add dynamics to the music. Dynamics can really transform your piece by adding depth and emotion. Not only will dynamics help shape the song, but it also allows others to connect emotionally. For example, a soft and gentle section might elicit tranquility and peace, whereas loud, powerful sections can bring about urgency or triumph!
Tip #10 - Keep It Positive!
Learning an instrument takes time and takes a lot of patience. Not everyone learns the same way and progress isn’t always linear. Remind yourself to be patient and to celebrate all the achievements, big or small! Setbacks can happen, but don’t be discouraged. A positive attitude can take you a long way!
In short, mastering a musical instrument consists of dedication, passion, and discipline. Use these ten tips to make sure you’re achieving your goals and take your musicality to the next level! Practice is not about perfection, but rather progress. Enjoy learning and making music! Happy practicing!