Effective Practice Habits for the New Year
As we enter the new year, many of us set ambitious goals in the form of New Year’s resolutions. For musicians, these goals might include practicing more frequently, improving efficiency, or dedicating time to mastering a new technique or skill that has long been on the back burner.
Using an incremental approach and understanding that progress may not be immediately visible are both keys to being able to work toward your goals sustainably and effectively. If you want to increase your weekly practice time, try setting a specific time of day, along with a clear objective for each practice session.
While it may be tempting to tackle multiple goals at once, focusing on one skill at a time will make your practice much more efficient. Additionally, resist the urge to drastically extend your practice sessions. Instead, start with your usual session length and gradually increase it by five-minute increments. Don’t forget to take breaks to keep your mind fresh.
Above all, remember: practice leads to progress, not perfection!
