1. Commitment (that's realistic)
It's a familar method and one of the best. To commit to a specific time during the day and duration of practice. It has to revolve around your normal daily routine or it simply won't work. Make sure distractions are limited and set a realistic amount of time to practice each day. Depending on ability, between 30 and 45 minutes of structured practice should be achievable. If it helps, go and put that load of washing on before you start. Make a brew. Get settled. Being consistent is key.
2. Begin with a Warm Up
This is essential. Without fail, I always warm up with a few sets of scales and arpeggios. Not only do they help to loosen and stretch those fingers (arpeggios help warm the wrists up), scales aid co-ordination, dexterity and improve finger technique to name just a few. As part of your structured practice, I'd recommend to always begin your daily session with a few scale sets. Trust me, you'll feel and hear the difference.
3. Make a Bite Sized Goal
Setting a realistic and managable plan of action is a good way to start. With so much to remember from your teacher-led lesson, it can be daunting to make sure your independent practice during the week is productive. A good way is to tackle and master a single line or passage at a time before moving onto the next. Practice separate hands until you're comfortable before SLOWLY putting them together. Always be mindful of what you hear. Are you playing the correct notes at the right rhythm and dynamic etc? How are the fingers looking? Most importantly, never rush. Steady and precise playing, with patience and time, will give you the results you're after.
4. Dealing with Mistakes
It's such a common response. You begin to play, you're 10 or so bars in and you make a mistake. You then shake your head before going back to the beginning to start all over again. Please, please, please. Refrain from doing this! Always do your best to recover and continue with the piece rather than going back to the beginning. Once you're finished, then go back to the troublesome bar and repeat until you've got it right. Always aim for perfection - you CAN do it. Mistakes tend to happen when your concentration is flagging, you're tired or maybe you're 'just not feeling it today'. When you feel like this it's best to walk away and try again fresh the following day - don't feel guilty about doing this.
5. Having the Right Attitude
When you sit down to practice, it shouldn't be about going through the motions and counting down the minutes until it's finish time. Where's the passion? Where's the fun? Are you relishing the challenge? It's all about having the right mental approach to playing - something that should be fulfilling and rewarding. Having this positive attitude will make your playing come on leaps and bounds. Take pride in every achievement, no matter how big or small.
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