The Fastest Way to Learn a Musical Instrument Guaranteed

Writing in sheet music to make practicing music easier was the topic of this week’s Practice Tip of the Week.  A comment I made about using pencil and erasing marks when they’re no longer needed has brought up a question: Can’t it be counter-productive to erase marks you’ve made in your music? Erasing certain marks [...]

The Practice Tip sent out this week included ideas for writing in your sheet music to make practicing easier.  Though some musicians want to keep their music in mint condition, writing in your music helps musicians learn faster. This practice tip brought up some ideas for using sheet music during a performance also. There seem [...]

One of the main issues with practice motivation is getting a practice session started.  Most musicians enjoy practicing once they’re actually doing it.  Your goal is to eliminate the barriers that stop you from playing your instrument. Keeping your instrument hidden away is one of the barriers you’re trying to do away with in your [...]

How to phrase music is a big topic.  Deciding which notes to emphasize makes your interpretation of a piece different from the way other musicians play. Here’s a fun way to think about choosing which notes should stand out in your performance. Let’s consider this sentence: “I didn’t say you could take my money.” Read [...]

If you find yourself having motivational problems practicing music regularly, there is a technique to make you enthusiastic about playing music: Don’t use the word “Practice.” Instead, tell yourself you’re going to “play” your instrument today.  You don’t need to think of it as practicing at all. Just get your instrument and play it, without [...]

Some musicians get so used to their practice space at home that they find it difficult to play well anywhere else.  Here’s a practice technique to make sure you’ll be at your best no matter where you play. Although it’s important to have a specific practice space where you feel comfortable, make sure you don’t [...]