Let's Practice!

Over the last few weeks, it’s been inspiring to see posts in our community’s private FB group from students hitting their 100 Day Practice Challenge goals! Getting started with a new routine can be HARD, so it seemed like a great time to revisit some tips for practicing as an adult.

• Leave your fiddle out of the case and ready to go! Of course this requires finding a safe place in your house, away from pets, heating or AC vents, etc. But having your instrument available for a quick pick-up makes it that much easier to overcome the challenge of starting.
• Practice in the morning. Grab your instrument and pluck out a tune for 5 minutes when you get up or before you go to work. Not only can this perk up your mood for the day, but will likely inspire you to pick it back up later on.
• Don’t get too hung up on practice streaks. Of course it feels GREAT to hit a milestone like 100 straight days, but it can also feel discouraging if you happen to miss a day. Be flexible with your approach and you’ll naturally build the routine without getting derailed.
• Avoid practicing for too much time. A common trap new students fall into is thinking they need to set aside a significant amount of time to practice. It may seem counter-intuitive, but numerous studies have shown that 20 minutes of focused practice is actually better than an hour of playing. (If you finish your 20 minutes and still feel engaged, give yourself a quick break to give your brain and body a chance to reset.)
• If there’s pain, stop immediately! Like with any physical activity, it can take your body some time to adjust to new movements. As a fiddler, you are an athlete of the hands (and upper back, shoulders, and neck.) These muscles take time to develop, so make sure you listen to your body and take lots of breaks as needed!

What’s working for YOU? Feel free to share any surefire practice tips you’d like to add!