PRACTICE CHARTS
Our wonderful teachers are here and eager to help you reach your highest goals. However, it is important to remember that your lesson is only a few minutes out of the entire week. Most of the progress in your learning journey happens outside of your lesson time. To improve, it is extremely important to PRACTICE on your own. Many have heard the expression “practice makes perfect,” and the saying holds true. Teachers will tell you the key to progress is practicing every day, even if only for a few minutes. It takes discipline and hard work—but rest assured, no-one has ever regretted learning an instrument.
When you practice, you’re developing muscle memory. Whether strumming a guitar, pressing piano keys, or singing beautiful melodies, your body is learning what to do. To ingrain a skill, consistent repetition is needed. When you are just beginning, it may be hard to find time for long practice sessions, and that is okay! Consistency is more important than the amount of time spent. Set good habits and aim to practice at least 10-15 minutes every day. Small chucks of daily practice are much better than a few hours each weekend.
Once you’ve set aside some time to practice, it is important to be honest with yourself about whether you are doing it correctly. Although it may be tempting, replaying that favorite song you’ve already nailed won’t keep you improving. To have a great practice session, make sure to bring these things with you:
1. Goals - Keeping a list of small things to work on makes sure that you use your time wisely, and it will feel great once you’ve achieved them!
2. Practice log/Notebook - Use these to keep track of your progress, such as how much time to spend on each piece or any tricky sections that need more work. We have several types of practice logs available on the Forté website—or feel free to make your own.
3. Patience - All good things come with time, so try not to rush them! Are you going to fast? Do you need to play it slower? Should you try it one more time today?
4. Pencil - Did you miss that sharp or flat? Circle it! Do the dynamics change there? Mark it! Adding notes to your music will remind you what to focus on next time you practice.
5. Metronome/backing tracks - using a metronome or playing along with tracks is a great way to develop steady rhythm. Tuning drones are also a great way to keep your pitch right on point. There are great apps available for that!
When you practice, you’re developing muscle memory. Whether strumming a guitar, pressing piano keys, or singing beautiful melodies, your body is learning what to do. To ingrain a skill, consistent repetition is needed. When you are just beginning, it may be hard to find time for long practice sessions, and that is okay! Consistency is more important than the amount of time spent. Set good habits and aim to practice at least 10-15 minutes every day. Small chucks of daily practice are much better than a few hours each weekend.
Once you’ve set aside some time to practice, it is important to be honest with yourself about whether you are doing it correctly. Although it may be tempting, replaying that favorite song you’ve already nailed won’t keep you improving. To have a great practice session, make sure to bring these things with you:
1. Goals - Keeping a list of small things to work on makes sure that you use your time wisely, and it will feel great once you’ve achieved them!
2. Practice log/Notebook - Use these to keep track of your progress, such as how much time to spend on each piece or any tricky sections that need more work. We have several types of practice logs available on the Forté website—or feel free to make your own.
3. Patience - All good things come with time, so try not to rush them! Are you going to fast? Do you need to play it slower? Should you try it one more time today?
4. Pencil - Did you miss that sharp or flat? Circle it! Do the dynamics change there? Mark it! Adding notes to your music will remind you what to focus on next time you practice.
5. Metronome/backing tracks - using a metronome or playing along with tracks is a great way to develop steady rhythm. Tuning drones are also a great way to keep your pitch right on point. There are great apps available for that!
Good luck, and happy practicing!
Young Learners:
Intermediate / Adult:
Method Book Progress Charts:
Staff Paper:
