Practicing During the Summer

Doing any disciplined activity during the summer can be a daunting task when all you want to do is have some fun in the sun. Here are some tips to stay focused on your instrument while you enjoy the warm weather.

1. Set a schedule: If you set a schedule and stick to it, chances are that you will develop a good practice regimen. The most important part is to stay consistent. The human brain learns best with repetition, so whether it's just five minutes a day or three hours, keep doing it!

2. Spread out your practicing in intervals: Space out shorter practice sessions throughout the day. You can do as little as five minutes, three to four times each day, so this way it seems like you are practicing less.

3. Pick shorter pieces: Part of the reason we lose control over our practicing during the summer is that we get discouraged. Longer pieces naturally will take longer to learn, which means more dedicated practice time. Choosing a shorter piece will help you learn faster and gain more satisfaction.

4. Perform live: Summer is the perfect opportunity to perform for people (and you may even earn a little cash too!) Whether it's in a band or you alone, check out local coffee shops and restaurants/ bars to see if they need musicians. One of my first performance gigs was playing at a coffee shop at age 16, so don't think you're too young to try it!

5. Have fun: At the base level make sure you're having fun. Pick pieces you want to learn and have a great time doing it!