Getting to Carnegie Hall

The semester changeover means that some students have finished up their music classes for the term, and some will be just starting them.   This leads to a different practice routine than you've been having for the first semester.  Maybe this is a good time to freshen up your practicing.  Here are a few tidbits that might inspire you.

• According to one theory, it takes 21 days for a new habit to take hold.  That means, if you decide that you're going to practice every day, it will take 21 days of remembering to practice and doing so, before this habit becomes, well, habitual.  So, the first 21 days of practicing will require the most effort to remember and do, after that, your practice routine will seem natural to you.  Here's an opposing view of this theory.
• Mastery of a skill comes after 10,000 hours of practice.  If you practice for 1 hour a day, that would be 27 years worth of practice.  If you practice for 20 hours a week, you'll achieve 10,000 hours in ten years.  Make of that what you will.  Bottom line, the more practice, the better.  Classroom and band playing time will count toward your 10,000 hours.

10,000 hours starts now!  (Image by sierraromeo, from Flickr)

Two elements of successful development of good habits:  accountability and support.  These are a cornerstone of groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and Weight Watchers.  For instance, in Weight Watchers, participants keep a log of how much they eat and exercise and attend a weekly weigh-in to keep track of their progress at losing weight.  They meet as a group to celebrate progress, and support each other during the difficult time of weight loss.  How does that apply to us? 

Some thoughts on accountability and support:

• How will we know when we've reached 10,000 hours of practice (aside from the praise being heaped upon us by our music teacher, and audiences everywhere)?  Practice log, baby.  And not just to keep track of the amount of time you've put in, but also to record what you've been working on; how it's going; any questions you might have for your teacher or section-mates, and maybe even to plan what you'll work on next.  So grab a cool notebook, start a spreadsheet, or download an app (such as Just Practice! for Apple devices) and become accountable to yourself.
• We had a great example of the rewards of practice and group accountability before Christmas when the sax section showed us how well they'd memorized Saxes Will Rock.  Very impressive, guys and girl!
• It's easy to bail on a practice by yourself.  Not so easy if you've made an arrangement to practice with someone else.  Consider arranging an informal sectional, or cross-band practice section (tuba/flute perhaps).  Maybe at lunchtime or by conference call?
• Would it be fun to arrange an hour where we all committed to practicing at home at the same time?  Would that even be possible?

We'd love to know what you think of these ideas.  Do you have any practice tips that could help your fellow band members?  Any creative suggestions to enhance group accountability/support?  No idea is too crazy...

Meanwhile, as I am woefully far from 10,000 hours, and our next rehearsal is less than a week away on Feb. 7, I'd better stop blogging and go act accountable.  I leave you with this thought:

Practicing is an act of faith.  The practicing that you do now is your down payment for next year and years to come.                 

John Perry, professor of piano, from the book Making Music for the Joy of It, by Stephanie Judy