Making the Time!!!
The new school year is just around the corner which means making time for practice can be a bit challenging but is key to progressing in your lessons. Whether it’s homework, sports, band, theater, MMA, or just work and family, carving out time for your lessons is important. Everyone’s schedule is different but there is time, so find it.
Figure out which day and time will work best. It could be the same day as your lesson. When I was taking lessons, I found that practicing before and after my lessons always helped me have a much better lesson. Also, your lesson doesn’t count as practicing for the day.
I tell my students to practice 4 – 5 days a week for 15-20 minutes a day if you’re a beginner and 30 minutes and up if you’ve been in lessons longer or you’re older. Make it consistent. Practicing is your homework so if you miss a day then you need to make it up. That might mean practicing on a day that you don’t normally practice, or waking up a little early to squeeze in a quick session. I had one student that started to practice in the morning before she went to school and it really helped with her progress.
I try to tell my students and parents if I was grading you for how much you practice it would look something like this.
A = 5 days of practice
B = 4 days of practice
C = 3 days of practice
F = 2 days or fewer
Lastly, however many days that you do practice, make sure that it’s quality time. Don’t just play through stuff you already know. Also, make sure you don’t have any distractions around such as electronic devices or noise from the house such as a tv being on, siblings, or pets. Try to find a quiet place to concentrate and focus on what you’re doing. Make every minute count.