Success in your musical endeavors starts with establishing good practice habits.

Practicing is an essential part of every musician’s daily routine. Unfortunately, it typically is not done correctly. To practice properly entails each of us to analyze our performance and then focus on the skill areas that we are weakest. Following are the essential components to create a healthy practice routine.

Practice Time

Setting a specific time every day to practice is the first step. If possible, find a place that you can designate as your practice area so you can keep all of your materials in one place. Practicing needs to be done where there are as few distractions as possible. No TV's, stereos, and as few interruptions as possible. Practicing requires concentration.
In your practice space you should have a chair with a straight back (no arms or foot rests), metal folding chairs are always good. Be sure that you do not slouch while practicing; this can lead to poor technique.
The amount of time that you spend practicing every day varies depending on what you are trying to accomplish. For beginners, 10 to 15 minutes a day is a good starting point. The longer you study an instrument, the more time you need to devote to it to continue learning and improving.

Practice Schedule

I have found that following a regimented practice schedule is the best way to ensure that you are working on all of your skill areas.

1. Warm-ups - Start with a warm-up or "the exercise" everyday. By starting with exercises we can concentrate on our technical issues, and set our ear and body in the proper musical mode.

2. Scales/Arpeggios - Every song, or melody, is based upon a scale(s). To properly
Prepare yourself for playing it is important to get the sounds that you will be using
in your ear, and under your fingers. Also, it helps to get our body (technique) and ear to function together.

3.Song - Pick a song (or exercise) to work on.
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When you are at this step, use the following method.

2+2 Practice Method

Music is written, and therefore heard, in specific sequences or intervals, normally in a series of
2 or 4 measures. To work on melodies correctly you need to practice them the way they are written and heard.

Start with the first 2 measures of a song.
1. Identify the note names.
2. Locate them on your instrument.
3. Play the first measure over and over until you can play it mistake free.
4. Go to measure 2. Repeat steps 1 - 3.
5. Play both measures together; continue practicing both measures until you can play them flawlessly.
6. Move to measures 3 & 4 and follow the same idea.
7. Play all 4 measures, or the phrase, until you can play it mistake free.

Hint: If you can play your 2 and 4 measures sections 4 times in a row, sounding the same each time, you have it down.

Think Like a Musician

When you pick up your instrument, you are a musician. This means you need to use the musical vocabulary and thought process that musicians use.

If you are practicing a scale think the name of the scale before playing it. Is it Major or minor? Are you going to be playing quarter notes or eighth notes?
As you play the scale think, or say, the names of the notes. Listen to the sounds. Does it sound Major or Minor?
When practicing songs use the terms we learn in lessons. Measures, phrases, time signatures, keys. Are you working on the Verse, Chorus, A section?
By using the correct terminology you have a much better idea of how the song works, therefore, a much better understanding of how to perform it and remember it.

Consistency

The key to practicing, and getting the most out of your music, is consistency. If you practice the same way every day you will have much greater success on your instrument. You will retain the information that you need and will find that you will advance as a musician much more quickly.

Just Playing Around

After you have done your practice schedule for the day, goof around. Play songs that you like. Experiment with the notes and chords. The object of all your hard work is to become a better musician. But don't forget to experiment with the "sounds". Be Creative!

Practice Check List

At each Lesson you will receive a practice “check list”. This is a reminder of what you should be working on for the week. I recommend practicing in the order that is on your list.
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Ed McCartan
610-432-5270
edm@edmccartan.com
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