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If you have decided to learn a instrument and begin having weekly lessons it is vital to practise well in between your lessons. This does not always mean hours of time! It's more important to do effective practice for a short time and every day than one long hour of two just playing through pieces once or twice. Here's some quick tips for effective practise.
Keep practising good posture: it's temping to slouch in your own home but good posture is vital for learning any instrument.
Do short sessions: if you do too much in one go the mind starts to lose focus and it becomes non-beneficial.
Decide when in the day your mind is at it's best. I find I can concentrate better in the morning and that I'm too tired by the evening.
Don't always start your pieces from the beginning: choose the bars you find most challenging and do one practice session just on those bars.
If you are finding a section rhythmically hard, take it away from the instrument and try clapping. It is great to be able to clap a piece with a metronome in time all the way through. If you can't clap the rhythm, how can you play it?
Try not to get distracted: put your mobile phone on silent and certainly no trying to watch the TV at the same time!!
Keep hydrated and avoid practice on a empty stomach: you can't concentrate properly when you're hungry.
Keep a record of how much you have done each day. I have even in the past written down which scales/pieces I have done that day so I know to do others more the next.
Lastly, practice isn't always enjoyable, but try and enjoy it and think of the end result!!
