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Practicing – Setting up your space
Posted on October 4, 2011 by Julie in PracticingBefore we can even think about starting to practice we need to evaluate our surroundings and practice space. I have always found that it is very helpful to have a dedicated space for practicing – a corner of a home office, spare bedroom, corner of your bedroom, basement, you can be creative within your own house. Find a space that is quiet so that you can practice uninterrupted and maybe even leave your materials there so you don’t lose them in your room (have you really cleaned it lately??!!??)
Once you have found your designated practice space, gather your materials:
- Music Stand
- Pencil
- Chair (optional, if you practice standing)
- Music
- Tuner
- Metronome
- Timer
- Notebook for lesson and practice notes
When I was a student (and had a much smaller library of music) I liked to keep my music in either an expandable file folder or filing cabinet. This kept it organized and I could find it easily for practicing, or when I was running late for a lesson!Let’s take a look at a well thought out and organized practice space:
Now, let’s take a look at a less than ideal practice space:
What is wrong with the second picture?- No chair – the couch is an invitation for very bad posture!
- The TV is on – There is no way to concentrate with the TV on
- Not a designated space for practicing – common family area with many distractions
- No metronome – this is a very important practice tool
- Messy – it is hard to concentrate in a messy space, and very difficult to find missing music
- No pencil – you should always mark in your music as you practice. So that you don’t make the same mistake again!
- Flute is on the couch – I can’t tell you how many flutes get sat on! Don’t let this happen to you! Don’t leave your flute where someone can sit on it (at home and at school)
In order to make the best use of your practice time you must think about your surroundings. It will make a big difference and you will be happy to have taken the time to set the stage for your practice session!Are you ready to practice? Take a look at the next post, Warming Up
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