Routines are crucial for musical success, but let’s face it: sometimes we can get stuck in a rut, and need something new to keep music exciting! Here are a few ideas to help make your own practice time, or your child's practice time, a bit more interesting.
1. Pick a different practice time! Early in the morning, late at night: pull out your instrument any time that's not your usual practice time. This is especially useful for when you’re practicing for a recital or an audition, since playing at different times of day helps get you accustomed to making music outside of your comfort zone.
2. Go outside! This isn’t practical for piano students, but for most other instruments, practicing outside in nice weather is totally doable! The backyard or a front porch works fine, and if you want to get even more adventurous, you can go to a nearby park and practice under a picnic shelter! You’ll start making a bigger stronger sound, since you have all of the outdoors to fill up with sound, and nearby birds might come by to check out the new competition!
3. Try learning something by ear! Pick out a favorite Disney or pop song, or whatever you’re interested in, and see if you can figure out the notes just by listening & repeating! Sometimes it takes a bit of trial & error, but it’s pretty rewarding when you finally figure it out!
4. Make it random. Have a bunch of things to practice? Write each thing down on a slip of paper, put the slips in a cup or bowl, then pick a slip out to decide what to practice next!
We hope this helps give you a few ideas for how to make your practice time a little less ordinary!
For more information you can contact Marion Music Academy at 319-377-3343, or click here to sign up for lessons today.