When I first started studying music, I was young enough that I ignored much of the practice advice that my teachers gave me. I just wanted to play. This worked for awhile, but then I ran smack up against a wall where, if I'd just listened in the first place... Having been down the "learn it the hard way" path, these are the bits of wisdom that I wish I'd been ready to listen to at the time they were passed on! Have a plan. Start with the hard bits. Get your rhythm right fro

Do you ever think you're working way too hard for very little musical gain? Maybe it's how you're practicing. Here are a few ideas to try: Start by identifying the thing that is the most difficult in your piece. Isolate that tiny passage from the rest of the piece. Identify the exact problem you're having. Identify how to solve that problem. Work only on that specific problem and stay focused! Integrate your solved passage back into the piece. If you are smart about how you

Want to know how practicing makes you a better musician? Check out this TED video. #effectivepractice #musicpractice #musicvideo