Productive Practice
Mastery of musical instruments is challenging.
The discipline of skilled music performance does not develop haphazardly.
What are essential considerations in its pursuit? Some candidates include:
- Practice with definite objectives for each practice session.
- Select learning projects based on need, not unrealistic ambition.
- Establish a reliable personal practice routine.
- Track progress in specific technical challenges.
- Form a clear mental image of the sound desired before producing any sound at all.
- Maximize the amount of progress made in practice by focusing on challenges.
- Establish many opportunities for performance, but distinguish between practice and performance.