Practice Tips for Busy Students.

In today's article, I'm going to give some simple practice tips for busy students who have little time per week to practise. If you like this article, please give your comments and feedback and I will try to expand on the points made.

Tip No. 1: Plan Your Practice Times
Be clear about the amount of time you have for practice per week and make a date with your own practice. Eg everyday at 5p.m or every friday at 6p.m etc. Plan it and stick to it as much as you can.

Tip No. 2: Keep it Short
As we know, since you're busy, do not think you have to have a stretch of 1 hour etc if not you won't practise. Aim for 15 mins and take will force you to stay focused.

Tip No. 3: Set a Goal
Before you start practice, set a realistic goal for that 15 mins etc that you have.

Tip No. 4: DIVIDE AND CONQUER
One of the most common mistakes that students make when practising is to go from the start to the finish every single time. This definitely wastes a lot of unnecessary time. Since you only have 15 mins, just aim to learn 4 bars. If you can learn it quickly enough, then memorise it.

Tip No. 5: Same and Different
Group similiar practices together and practise those passages together.

Tip No. 6: Practise from the end to the front
This is one of my favourite practice tips. Usually the front sounds good and the back starts to fall apart. Start from the back and it keeps you motivated to work towards the start of the piece.

Good luck and enjoy your practice!