Author: violinerin

Do your practice in a good learning environment with few distractions where you are free to focus and problem solve.

Practice pieces in small sections and areas. Practice is for working through problem areas and improving things. Try to avoid playing straight through anything until maybe at the very end of your practice session as a reward.

Use different patterns as a practice technique for problem solving a difficult passage. Here are some patterns to try: long short, short long, double each note, play each note of the passage the same length, play the passage at a very slow tempo, work the tempo up from slow to fast in intervals.

Quality practice is similar to doing a puzzle. Put it together and tear it apart. Put it back together and tear it apart.

Practice can be frustrating at times because you are working on your weaknesses to make them stronger. You may need to take breaks throughout practice to stay focused.

Practice on a consistent schedule. Regular practice builds fine motor skills needed to play a stringed instrument.

Do not practice mistakes! Practice pieces slowly and carefully and then gradually increase the tempo while still focusing on accuracy.

Keep your instrument out where it is easy to access for practice.

Keep track of your mistakes during practice, so you can fix them.

When you are practicing for a performance, play your piece for groups of friends and family to see how you respond to being nervous.