“Practice doesn’t make perfect.  Perfect practice makes perfect.”      (Vince Lombardi)

Developing a system of effective practice habits not only leads to better musicianship and performances.  It becomes a life skill that can apply to many other pursuits.

Practicing is about thinking first, and then playing, and then deciding if your playing was what you intended.

Practicing is about working in small groups (a few measures), and not always starting at the beginning.

“Ghost” or silent practicing counts as practice.  Listening to other performers play the piece counts as practice.  Marching around the room while singing the piece or clapping the rhythm counts as practice.

Practicing isn’t stumbling through the whole piece beginning to end a few times, or playing too fast, or playing endless repetitions while staring out the window and thinking about something else.   All this does is reinforce habits that don’t contribute to your best playing.

One thing that we have all heard from students is that “it sounded better at home/in the practice room.”  A year or two ago, a singer who had been called in at the last minute to substitute for a major operatic role at The Met was interviewed about practice (during the intermission).  He told the audience,

“My performances are usually about 75 or 80% of what I’m able to do in practice, so I put all of my energy into great practice to set the highest possible standard when performing.

How can you help your child learn the difference between effective and ineffective practice?  Read the appropriate sections (For Parents, For Students) for ideas and resources on setting up a good practice routine.