What goes into a practise session?
Getting the most out of your daily practise session is easy! Students just have to include a bit of structure in each session:
Warm up and technique Music requires the use of muscles as well as the brain. Warming up your muscles with a few technical exercises not only develops and refines those muscles, it helps you to mentally settle into practise mode. Your teacher can help you choose a few exercises to begin each session. Later on you will be able to design your own warm up routine
Musical repertoire Work on the piece(s) your teacher has assigned you, as well as any more detailed instructions such as going over a particularly tricky section a few times.
Improvise! It’s actually a good idea to spend time “messing around” and making up your own patterns on your instrument; this is a great way to get to know how the instrument works, what makes it sound good, and any ideas or patterns that you are naturally drawn to. If you need some inspiration try putting on the radio, and just playing along with whatever comes to mind.
