How long should I practice?
If a little practice is good, isn't more practice better? Not necessarily.
Common sense tells you that you can’t improve if you don’t practice. But what kind of practice is helpful? In last month’s blog, we discussed the value of consistent, frequent practice sessions. In this article, we’ll talk about task-driven practice.
What do I mean by “task-driven”? It means setting a small goal during practice for each piece. Being intentional. For example, instead of playing a piece 10 times in a row, the student works on the tricky fingering in the 4th measure until it’s correct. Setting a goal implies that a student is really listening to themselves as well. You can’t effectively set a goal without hearing what needs to change.
Over the years, I have used a variety of programs to encourage good practice. They generally focus on frequency of practice or length of time at the keyboard. An unintended consequence of these programs is that students can get the idea that simply logging practice time is sufficient.
Practice charts are a good place to start for young or beginning students. It helps establish a habit of regular practice. We will celebrate their efforts at lesson, but I will also plant the seeds of intentional practice. When we play together, you will hear me say things like, “I don’t feel like I was quiet enough in this section. Do you mind if we try again?” It models critical listening and purposeful repetition without being overly critical of the student. The hope is that the charts coupled with good listening and goal setting will lead to good quality practice.
It takes time and maturity for students to transition from simply watching the clock to watching for progress. It won’t happen overnight. Below are tips for parents and caregivers to foster quality practice:
Encourage students to set small goals at the beginning of their rehearsal.
Offer positive feedback about improvement. Be specific about what you liked.
Prompt students to record themselves. What did they like? What do they want to do differently?
Above all, remain positive. Praise their effort and hard work.
As students mature, they will be more and more independent in their practice. Parents and caregivers will have less of a direct role in practice sessions. However, by focusing on intentional practice and attentive listening early in their studies, you will have created a growth mindset for your student. It makes them stronger, more thoughtful musicians in the long run.
© 2018 by Debbie Guidolin