Practice, practice, practice

Practice, practice, practice. There are many theories and systems that abound that encourage us to go in for regular practise but at the end of the day what is needed is commitment to improving and acquiring the ‘habit ‘ of practising your instrument. As has often been said, better to perfect a simple piece than stumble over a more complication one – the more difficult will come in time!

In a sense it is like an addiction – get ‘addicted to practice’ where  you get so into the habit that it becomes a routine of normal life without which you may feel something lacking.

Obviously it takes time to form a habit and initially (it is suggested) you must work a time frame of 3-4 weeks. That is at least 21 days in a row without skipping one.

It will be difficult at first but once you have identified the best part of the day you must stick to it with determination. You may, indeed, feel like dropping out or skipping a day but brace up to that and do it anyway –  21 days in a row. Discipline yourself so that if you skip a day you must begin again. Your practice time may vary but if possible keep it up as consistent as you can.

From that point it is far easier and you must then start building, by varying your repertoire, playing ‘fun’ pieces and, of course, extending practice time. Instead of a chore your instrument becomes a joy. You will begin to resent any intrusions on your practice time and during the day find your mind wandering ‘how am I going to overcome that technical problem’ , work out a strategy to try or take it to your teacher at the next lesson. From time to time why not include other players of a similar level and play as a group – each one improving and urging on the others?