Practicing the piano is like anything else you might want to do: if you want good results, you have to do it right. Let’s compare piano with running:
- A runner will warm up and stretch out before doing any kind of exercise.
- A runner will slowly increase the length of his workout session if he hasn’t ran in a while instead of going all in on the first try.
- A runner will plan some days to rest, especially if he is training for a demanding event such as a marathon or a race.
- A runner knows his limits.
Think about it – when was the last time you properly warmed up before an intense practice session? When was the last time you allowed yourself a break?
Whether you are practicing for yourself, for a class or for a performance, you need to establish a difference between an efficient and valuable practice session and a session that runs for too long and doesn’t yield any results. Here are a few tips to help you optimize your practice time:
1. Don’t practice when you are tired. If you are tired, get some rest. Anything you want to practice at 11pm can most likely be put off until the morning. In fact, anything you practice so late at night when you are exhausted will not be efficient at all. You will get discouraged, will become irritated and only aggravate the situation. Make sure that you plan your practice sessions when you are most awake and able to focus.
2. Don’t think in terms of minutes or hours, but set yourself some goals. There is absolutely no reason why you should practice for 3 hours today. Set yourself a goal, instead. For example, if you are working on a particular piece, your goal could be to read through the last page, or work out a particularly difficult passage. You might want to work on increasing the speed of a piece, or work on some jazz improvisation exercises. Whatever the case may be, work with goals and small achievements instead of aiming for a number of hours.
3. Plan out your practice time. Don’t wait until the last minute before a concert or your next exam before practicing a particular concept or a piece. Plan out your sessions in order to make sure that you have enough time to work through everything you need to. This way, you will avoid last minute “cramming” and will feel more prepared. A last-minute practice session is never productive.
In short, just like with anything in life, quality will always dominate quantity. If you have a good practice session, whether it was 30 minutes long or lasted all day, you’ll feel more confident and will play better in the end. It is possible to practice for hours without getting anything done or working out any kinks in a piece – always go for quality over quantity!