It’s a classic music joke: A woman on the street in New York asks someone carrying an instrument, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” And he answers, “Practice.” But how should you practice to get the best results? There are many theories, but practicing with consistency, that is, a regular daily dose, is considered, if you will, a best practice.
One supporting theory that seems to have legs is that practicing regularly for short periods of time, say 15 to 20 minutes in the morning daily, yields more progress than say a three-hour session on a weekend. You make progress a bit each day and reinforce whatyou had learned the day before, and you avoid burnout.
As well, it’s best to schedule your practice as the first thing you do each day. It’s a bit like working out. If you get to it first thing, you’ll not find things getting in the way of practicing as the day unfolds.
A consistent daily practice regimen with an instrument does more than develop musical skill; it trains the brain and body to behave in a way that yields positive results in everything you do. Establishing a behavior pattern that produces results in music prepares you with the discipline and stick-to-itiveness you need to succeed and grow in other endeavors. The habits you develop in practicing daily, and focusing on areas that need development, translate into success beyond music, to your chosen profession, for example, even if it’s not music.
Sessions of 15 to 20 minutes where you are focused on overcoming a particular hurdle or solving a particular problem involves breaking complex projects into smaller, manageable tasks. And as you master each task you progress toward the bigger picture of mastering your instrument to the point of making real music.
Focused practice daily supports the development of the kind of mental discipline that transfers to other initiatives and can provide a blueprint for achieving progress and success in whatever you do.