How could you be improving the way you practice? Here are 4 tips from our staff to take your practicing routine at home to the next level.
1. Start Small
Try practicing just 10 minutes a day every day for a week. You’ll be amazed how much progress you can make!
– Dr. Megan Robbins, Senior Manager of Learning and Teaching, Oboe Teaching Artist, Chamber Ensemble Coach
2. Practice Slowly
Don’t just play a song from beginning to end. Pick one small part, decide what you want it to sound like, and practice it slowly and carefully until it feels easy and sounds great.
– Felipe Tobar Blanco, Learning and Teaching Associate, String Ensemble Conductor and Violin & Viola Teaching Artist
3. Stay Focused
15 minutes of focused practice is better than 1 hour of unfocused practice! Listen closely or record yourself working on 1-2 isolated elements of your playing (rhythm, notes, articulation, etc.) You will improve much faster than just playing for hours without a plan!
-Kathryn Cederborg, Program Coordinator at Uptown Academy; Clarinet, Flute, and Theory Teaching Artist
4. Use a Metronome
Always practice with a metronome! Time and rhythm are the foundation of music making.
-Stephon Owens, Program Coordinator at Greater South Side; Trumpet Teaching Artist
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