Concert/Chamber Orchestra Description


How Much Should I Practice Every Day?

This is an often-asked question. Students who are just starting to play an instrument are encouraged to practice a minimum of 15 minutes per day to get them into a routine and establish a "habit." For older students the answer is not so easy, although the motivation for practicing should be. "Practice with a Purpose!" -the purpose is the motivator. So then, the question should not be "How much should I practice," but "Why should I practice?"

The purposes for practicing or playing one's instrument daily could be:
1) For the sheer joy of making music; creating, expressing, and "letting go."
2) To prepare for an upcoming playing test.
3) To develop and build confidence on shifting, bowing, or vibrato techniques.
4) To commit to "habit" the pieces to be played for an upcoming concert.
5) To memorize a piece that is to be performed as a solo.
6) To build strength in order to maintain proper playing position.
7) List other purposes for why you would practice:______________________

So, how much is enough? Some students who establish a purpose or set a goal before they practice can accomplish that goal in a shorter period of time than others. As an example, one student may be able to adequately prepare for an up-coming playing test within a matter of 15 minutes, while another may need 60 minutes to accomplish the same goal. BUT, both of these students will need to utilize the process of repetition in order to commit a problem spot, or test spot, to "habit." This would involve having the student continue to practice the spot correctly during one practice day and then return to the spot again the next day to practice it further.

There is an incorrect statement that has been floating around for years:
"Teachers make you do it again and again and again until it is right."

Wrong! The correct statement is:
"Teachers make you do it right, and then make you do it again and again and again until it is habit."

Think about it. Can you recite your multiplication tables because you finally did them right, or because you did them right again and again until they became "second nature." This is how we "skill build." (By the same token, would you rather have a doctor who has performed three successful operations out of three do an operation on you, or have one who has performed 300 successful operations out of 300?

A private lesson teacher may be able to give a student the one-on-one attention the student might need to facilitate this repetition, while a music class teacher might be somewhat limited in the classroom situation. Then, the responsibility for such repetition falls upon each individual student in his/her private practicing. Without this repetition, the skill will not become second nature, or "habit."

Getting to this desired playing level will require the student to focus on the problem or test section, then:

1) Slow it down 2) Break it up, and 3) Play it right

then, play it again and again and again until it is habit!

To the question "How much should I practice every day," the answer is: "No amount of time will be enough unless you practice with a goal or a purpose in mind." Once the purpose or goal is established, the amount of time needed for the student to reach the goal may vary widely, depending on the learning capabilities of that particular individual. Goal setting and 30 minutes per day would be a good start!




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