Example practice models - harjoittelu

Example 1

Dividing your day into several sessions

• Stretching and warm up, breathing exercises.
• Warming up on your instrument, 10–15 minutes.
• Now think about your plan for today’s practice. The basic principle is to practice throughout the entire day: 2/3 of your time should be spent on playing and 1/3 on visualisation exercises, all interspaced with short breaks and physical exercise to get your circulation going.
• Practice requiring a lot of concentration (technical exercises), for example, 30–60 minutes.
• Long break.
• Playing etudes or songs, for example, 60 minutes. Remember to take breaks.
• Long break.
• Run slowly through your Playlist.
• Practice one piece. For example, 60 minutes. Remember to take breaks.
• Cool down – it will accelerate recovery by 50%.
• Stretching.

You should, of course, modify the length and content of your practice sessions to make them light enough for you to manage. Don’t slavishly follow any set model – listen carefully to what your body is telling you.

Example 2

A practice day in two sessions

Divide your practice day into two sessions (for example, 2 x 2 hours).

The basic principle in practice throughout the entire day: every practice hour should include a ten-minute break.

Remember the following:

• Stretching and warming up, breathing exercises
• Warming up on your instrument
• Do exercises requiring a lot of concentration during the first part of the day, when you’re at your most alert.
• Remember to cool down – it accelerates recovery by 50%.
• Stretching at the end of your session.

You should, of course, modify the length and content of your practice sessions to make them light enough for you to manage. Don’t slavishly follow any set model – listen carefully to what your body is telling you.

Working with your instructor

• Work with your instructor to identify both your playing strengths and the areas that need more practice. +/-
• Work with your instructor to decide on three, currently significant areas to focus on.
• Agree realistic Christmas/summer goals for these chosen areas with your instructor.
• If you are not satisfied with the results you achieve by, say, Christmas, then change your practice methods.
• Once you achieve your goals, you can add new ones to the list in their place.

Monitoring

• Keep a practice diary for each period.
• Note down the exercises you did, so that you can spot any areas in which you, without noticing it, might cheat yourself.
• If your playing isn’t flowing, show your practice diary to your instructor and discuss the possible reasons for your problems.
• Only practice for as long as you can concentrate without any physical or mental symptoms of fatigue.
• Take plenty of breaks.
• Remember to drink plenty of water.
• Note down what you played during your music lesson, or record it and listen to it again later.
• Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone needs different amounts of practice, and these amounts can change over the years.
• Remember to enjoy making music. This is, after all, our shared goal!