Performing is easy, and it's one of the reasons why we do what we do, but one of the hardest things…and the thing most musicians struggle with, is practicing effectively and efficiently.

 

This episode is going to dive deep, and deconstruct an ideal practice session, and give you actionable tips to setting up your own practicing schedule:

 

I am going to split this into two parts, setting up individual practices, and setting up practices as a band.

 

Individual:

• Schedule an allotted time just for practicing
• • i recommend at minimum 3 day a week, 30 minutes a day
  • make it the same time every day to build routine
  • find a space that makes practicing motivating
• Dont just run through the easy stuff
• • its easy to just focus on the stuff you're good at
  • practice the hard stuff, but don't put all of your practice time into one section
• Split your goals into chunks
• • a section getting you frustrated? take that section and work on it one measure at a time, then adding the measure before it
• take it slow, no need to take it at tempo until its perfect
• • playing fast creates more chance for error, and its harder to fix a mistake after your muscle memory knows it incorrectly
• Work on the 4 quadrants:
• • one of the ways i like to practice is splitting up my goals into 4 quadrants:
  • • technique
    • tone
    • reading
    • performance
  • explain each piece and how to split up the time
• BE CONSISTENT!!

 

 

Setting up a band practice: (most of the above rules apply)

 

• This is harder because you now have to schedule around more than just your own commitments, which can be really difficult if you have a lot of people in your band; I know, I have been in a band with 10 different people, getting all of us together was hard!
• • A way to make this easy is to set up a longer session, once or twice a week, at a predetermined day and time; preferably always the same day and time combo
  • • for example: tuesdays and thursdays from 6-9pm at johns house
• that brings me to my next point; location
• • try to find a place where everything can stay set up (for the most part) or where minimal set up time is required
  • • that way you don't wast 10-20 minutes setting up and tearing down every time, or lugging gear between band members homes
• Again, don't just run through stuff
• • If you are cleaning up older music, take the time to focus on accidentals, dynamics, all the small stuff that could make a huge improvement in the way you sound
  • If you are learning new stuff, take the time to learn it correctly the first time (TAKE LOTS OF NOTES)!
• When its practice time, focus is key
• • it can be hard and distracting playing in a band with some of your best buds, I know first hand how a practice session can be derailed by some jokes or stories, but try to save that for after. from 6-9 (with allotted breaks) should be strictly to focus on practice.
• BE CONSISTENT

 

 

Connect with Joseph Rocha at:

• Comment on the show notes
• Email [email protected]
• Subscribe on iTunes, or anywhere podcasts are found
• Follow Eager Studios on social @eagerstudios
• Visit eagerstudios.com