Every successful musician can confirm that you need to put in extra efforts when it comes to practicing and polishing your music. On the other hand, they also admit that, at times, the morale to practice does not come at all. This is true. It is therefore important to stay focused for you to achieve the best results. In order to enjoy practicing, here are some tips that will help you practice effectively:
Set Goals for Your Practice
Sitting and practicing music without setting goals may not be so effective. You should plan on the things that you need to do before you go for practice. Make the most out of your time and ensure you’ve accomplished what you planned. It all depends with what you are learning. You could be perfecting your vocals on a particular piece or finding the right key for a particular song on your piano or guitar. Goals will motivate you and help you stay focused.
Keep a Practice Log
Writing down your goals and achievements is the best thing that you can do for yourself. You can easily make a follow-up on the things that you successfully achieved and those that you did not. It also helps you seek help on the things that could seeming
ly be challenging. A practice log helps you reflect on why you did not achieve a certain goal.
Break It Down
If you are instructed by your teacher to practice four hours a day, you can choose to practice in sessions of two hours each. For you to effectively achieve your goals, you need a break to avoid being fatigued. This will help you concentrate and remain focused in each session, unlike locking up yourself in a room and practicing for four consecutive hours, without rest,
Understand That Practice Isn’t All About Playing Through Your Music
At a certain point, especially when you are preparing for a concert or any other performance, you need to go through your entire pieces of music to make sure you have memorized everything. It also helps you gain confidence. But as a learner, this is not recommended since you are still working on perfection, realizing your strengths and doing away with technical difficulties.
Warm Up Mindfully
Warm-ups are very important. Avoid running through your exercises while your mind is preoccupied. Warm-ups prepare your body and mind for what you are just about to do at a particular time, and they help you realize why you are doing that particular activity. This keeps you alert.