NITTY-GRITTY DETAILS post 3 of 5

Keep up your chops over break
without missing the festivities!

“There are always other people around when it’s time to practice.”

So you’ve set a time to practice, but when that time comes…
your sister has her stuffed animals lined up on the piano,
your dad is trying to get you to taste his freshly-baked pie,
and your grandma wants to take you for a spin in the XK120 she rebuilt herself.

No room is quiet, and there are people everywhere.

Your options:
1. Choose a room (your bedroom?) and politely ask everyone to leave.
Put a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door.
Practice 10 minutes. No more. Just 10 minutes of focused work.

2. Time to test your powers of concentration!
Slap on a practice mute or headphones and practice in the middle of all the action.
You might not do your best work this way…
but you may be surprised at what you can get done.

3. Incorporate your family in the fun!
Ask the stuffed animals for requests,
or play in the character of each toy.
Dad and Grandma want to show off,
so perform for them…or if you don’t have anything ready,
show them what you’ve been working on:
what scales you’re learning,
what specific skills you’re perfecting.

Once you choose a time to practice, stick to it every day…
even if the house is busy.
Enjoy a few minutes with your instrument, then join the festivities!

What time of day will you choose to practice?
What might get in the way?
How will you deal with these obstacles?
Is there a better time you can choose instead?

Comment below with your answers!
Let’s support each other’s music practice this season.