Some practice regimens never have a chance to begin. They expect too much, too soon. Early in our learning journey, it’s natural to envision an ideal practice routine that goes on for hours, that is practiced with laser-like focus, and that yields miraculous results. In truth, music is a game of inches, and daily practice is no exception. What makes a practice regimen work is its practicability, its ability to be practiced consistently despite the chaos and fluctuations that inevitably arise in our lives. So, how do you create a daily practice routine that actually sticks? Start with your schedule First, decide what time of day you will practice, not how long you will practice.
For some, this might mean early in the morning before the day gets busy. For others, it might mean the evening when the house is finally quiet. Don’t worry so much about the time of day as you do the consistency. You won’t be able to stick to a daily practice routine if you’re practicing at a different time each day. Try to practice at the same time every day and attach your practice to other daily habits like making coffee, washing dishes, or right after dinner. In time, you’ll find that your brain will signal that it’s time to practice and you’ll develop a routine around your instrument instead of your instrument seeming like a chore to be done when you’re in the “right mood.” Incorporate variety into your routine Next, incorporate some variety into your practice sessions. For example, if you’re just sight reading during your practice time, you’ll quickly find yourself tired and burned out. Similarly, if you’re only practicing the same songs over and over again, you’ll find yourself distracted.
A short practice session of focused, varied practice is better than a long practice session without direction. Here’s an example 15 minute daily practice routine you might consider: Spend the first few minutes doing some warm ups to loosen your fingers and wake up your ears. This might include practicing scales, finger exercises, or other warm ups that help you get comfortable. Next, spend some time working on one specific challenge. This might mean practicing a small section of a song over and over again, working on your timing, or practicing fingerings. Finally, spend some time playing a song you know well, or something easier than you’re used to playing to help you relax and enjoy your practice time. Establishing a daily routine like this will help you feel fulfilled at the end of your practice session instead of feeling like you’ve been interrupted.
Avoid these common pitfalls Many people feel like the longer they practice, the better. While this might be true in some respects, I would caution against measuring your practice time by how long you practice. In reality, it’s very easy to “practice” for 30 minutes or more without getting anything done. In fact, if you’re distracted, you may even be ingraining bad habits like poor timing, hesitancy, and lack of focus. Instead of focusing on how long you practice, establish a routine that has clear goals and aims. Another pitfall to avoid is deciding not to practice at all if you can’t practice for as long as you want or if you miss a day. This quickly becomes a slippery slope and before you know it, you won’t be practicing at all. Instead, try to establish a routine and stick to it as much as possible. If you can’t practice as long as you want, try to fit in at least 5 minutes of focused practice.
If you miss a day, don’t throw in the towel, just get back to your routine as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to mix things up Sometimes, your practice routine can get a little stale. If you find yourself getting bored with your routine, it’s okay to mix things up a little bit. Try changing what you’re practicing each day or establish different daily routines. For example, you might spend one day listening to your tone, the next day working on timing, and the next day working on transitioning from one part of a song to another. A little bit of variety can go a long way in keeping you focused and engaged during your practice time. Help yourself overcome a lack of motivation Finally, some days you just won’t feel like practicing. If you’re waiting for motivation to strike before you practice, you’ll be waiting a long time. Instead, I encourage you to ask yourself what the minimum amount of practice you can do today is and then do it. Often, getting started is the hardest part of practicing and once you’ve started, you’ll find you’re able to do more than you thought you could.
This will help you establish a consistent daily practice routine even when you don’t feel like it. Conclusion Establishing a daily practice routine is one of the best ways to improve your playing, even if you only have a few minutes a day to dedicate to your craft. By establishing a consistent daily practice routine, you’ll be able to make steady progress on your instrument and improve your skills significantly over time. Remember to keep your routine practical, avoid measuring your success by the amount of time you practice, don’t give up if you miss a day or two, don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit, and find ways to help yourself be consistent even when you’re not feeling motivated. Happy practicing!