Practice Tool-Kit
....Or, what to do when you don't know what to do.
....Or, what to do when you don't know what to do.
When students start learning a new skill, like playing a musical instrument, singing, playing a sport, etc.,
they do not automatically know how to practice that skill in order to get better.
This site is a Tool-Kit, or a step-by-step walk-through on how to practice complete with descriptions and videos!
Check it out.
they do not automatically know how to practice that skill in order to get better.
This site is a Tool-Kit, or a step-by-step walk-through on how to practice complete with descriptions and videos!
Check it out.
Step 1: Pick your music.
Pick up to three pieces to play during your practice session. If you pick only one piece that's fine, too! Always consider the amount of time you have to practice (more on that in Step 4.) so you don't overwhelm yourself.
Pick up to three pieces to play during your practice session. If you pick only one piece that's fine, too! Always consider the amount of time you have to practice (more on that in Step 4.) so you don't overwhelm yourself.
Step 2: Set a goal (or goals).
Have a goal or multiple goals in mind before you start practicing. Below is a list of possible goals and strategies. Work on one goal at a time.
*Definitions of Strategies and videos below.
Have a goal or multiple goals in mind before you start practicing. Below is a list of possible goals and strategies. Work on one goal at a time.
*Definitions of Strategies and videos below.
Goals - Strategies
- Intonation - All Quarters, Add A Note, Record Yourself, Chunk It, Slow Motion
- Dynamics - Right Hand Only, Reverse It, Slow Motion, Record Yourself
- Bow Directions - Right Hand Only, Shadow Bow, Chunk It, Reverse It, Record Yourself, Slow Motion
- Articulations - Right Hand Only, Shadow Bow, Chunk It, Reverse It, Record Yourself, Slow Motion
- Note Names/Fingering - Add A Note, Reverse It, Sequences, Slow Motion, Record Yourself, Dots and Reverse Dots, All Quarters, Say it, Play it, Chunk It
- Rhythms - Revserse It, Right Hand Only, Slow Motion, Record Yourself, Clap and Count, Shadow Bow, Chunk It
- Posture - Record Yourself, Shadow Bow
- Technique - Record Yourself, Right Hand Only Chunk It
Below are additional strategies to use in music and all of your classes.
These will give your brain a good workout and help you retain information longer.
These will give your brain a good workout and help you retain information longer.
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Interleave Practice
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Spaced Practice
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Vary Your Practice
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Teach it
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Step 3: The Process.
Reflection is essential for progress. Be critical but fair in your reflection. Learn from your mistake(s) and grow. Pick one thing to fix the next time around and make sure it stays fixed!
Reflection is essential for progress. Be critical but fair in your reflection. Learn from your mistake(s) and grow. Pick one thing to fix the next time around and make sure it stays fixed!
Image used with permission from Gregg Goodhart - Learning Coach http://ggoodhart.com/
Step 4: How much time will you spend practicing?
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5 minutes
Work on one piece and one goal to maximize learning. Chunking in the best strategy to use in this time frame. |
10 Minutes
Interleave Practice is going to be your best friend in this time frame. Pick 1-2 pieces and 2-3 goals. Use only a few strategies so you're not overwhelmed. |
15 Minutes
Pick 2-3 pieces and 2-3 goals. You can use more strategies here based on the time frame. |
20+ Minutes
Pick 2-3 pieces and 2-3 goals. Seriously, don't do more than this. Keep the quality of your practice high for maximum reward. Take a break every 10-15 minutes to clear your mind and return to practice refreshed. |
Explanation of Strategies from above
Add A Note - Chunk a section of your music. Play the first note, then the first two, then 1-2-3, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4-5.
All Quarters - Ignore the rhythm that is printed and play each note as a quarter note. Focus only on the note name and get a beautiful sound on each note.
Clap and Count - Clap and count the rhythm or use syllables to say the rhythm without your instrument. This will help to strengthen your counting accuracy.
Chunk It - Work on a small chunk of music, like one measure at a time, one line at a time. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Less is more.
Dots and Reverse Dots - Work on a chunk of music with the following rhythms:
Reverse It - Chunk a section of your music and play the notes and rhythms in reverse. Use the same bowings.
Right Hand Only - Pick a small chunk of music and bow the appropriate rhythm, slurs, ties, and string crossings without your left hand.
Say It, Play It - Say the note names before you play them. This will help make a connection between what you see on the page and what you play and hear.
Sequences - Pick a small chunk of music. Play groups of 2, 3, 4, etc., notes. (Ex. 3 note sequence: 1-2-3|4-5-6|7-8-9)
Shadow Bow - A simplified version of Right Hand Only. The bow hovers over the string without making sound. This allows you to focus on bow directions.
Slow Motion - Work on self-control and accuracy by playing a section of your music slow enough to play each note and rhythm accurately.
All Quarters - Ignore the rhythm that is printed and play each note as a quarter note. Focus only on the note name and get a beautiful sound on each note.
Clap and Count - Clap and count the rhythm or use syllables to say the rhythm without your instrument. This will help to strengthen your counting accuracy.
Chunk It - Work on a small chunk of music, like one measure at a time, one line at a time. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Less is more.
Dots and Reverse Dots - Work on a chunk of music with the following rhythms:
- Dotted Rhythms: Play all of the notes as the first being a dotted quarter note and the second an eighth note. Continue this pattern to the end of the section you're working on.
- Reverse Dotted: Play all of the notes as the first being an eighth note then a dotted quarter note.
Reverse It - Chunk a section of your music and play the notes and rhythms in reverse. Use the same bowings.
Right Hand Only - Pick a small chunk of music and bow the appropriate rhythm, slurs, ties, and string crossings without your left hand.
Say It, Play It - Say the note names before you play them. This will help make a connection between what you see on the page and what you play and hear.
Sequences - Pick a small chunk of music. Play groups of 2, 3, 4, etc., notes. (Ex. 3 note sequence: 1-2-3|4-5-6|7-8-9)
Shadow Bow - A simplified version of Right Hand Only. The bow hovers over the string without making sound. This allows you to focus on bow directions.
Slow Motion - Work on self-control and accuracy by playing a section of your music slow enough to play each note and rhythm accurately.
Practice Strategies that work in every class
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Interleave Practice - Pick several different pieces or goals. Spend a few minutes practicing one, then move on to the other, then the other, go back to the first, then the second again, and so on. This is a great strategy for maxmizing your focus and attention to detail. Try this with other class. Study S.S., then math, then ELA, etc.
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Spaced Practice - Spend some time away from a piece (or subject). A day, two days, a week. When you come back to it your brain will have to work hard to remember what you learned before. When your brain works hard, knowledge sticks!
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Vary Your Practice - Start at different parts of your music; start at the beginning, the middle, the end, or middle, beginning, end. Practice your music in a different order than you did the time before. This works with studying your notes from other classes. Start reading your notes from a different spot each time you study.
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Teach It - Teach a friend or family member how to play a piece of music or a technique (like slur, hooked bow, vibrato, etc.) on your instrument. Or explain a concept, like key signature, time signature, rhythm counting, etc. When you teach someone something you strengthen your understanding. Try this with your other course work.
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