Thoughts from a recovering perfectionist: don’t forget the good when you critique yourself
When someone asks you to reflect on a performance or playing in a lesson or practice or rehearsal - you go straight to what can be improved, right? It feels so weird, maybe a little boastful to mention anything you liked about whatever the situation was, right? Try acknowledging what went well, because we don’t level up unless something goes well.
Three practice tips for musicians that will break your brain
Do you ever practice something over and over and everything is going well, but then you hit a wall in your practice? Or something throws you off when you’re out of the practice room? Or just bored of the same practice strategies?
I have a few practice strategies for musicians that are definitely character building. In other words, they feel like they’re breaking your brain. What’s actually happening is strengthening the fortress around your skill by building the skill from different approaches and angles than what we’re used to as musically inclined practice room dwellers.
Practice journal reflections for musicians: self-doubt
As musicians, it’s common for self-doubt to creep in about the work we do. It’s totally normal, but let’s reflect on any self-doubt we may have in the practice room and how we can approach it differently when it shows up.
Practice Tips: Trills versus Counting - who will win? (spoiler alert: it’s you!)
You’re playing in band, on a really long trill, but suddenly you’ve completely lost count as to where you are in the long high note wiggle - oh no. OH NO.
Keep reading to get some helpful tips to combat this!
Thoughts from a recovering perfectionist: self-recording
Recording my own playing…just the thought gave me the heebie jeebies for a long time. Everyone says we should do it for a whole host of reasons, but sometimes the thought of it gives the eugh.
Well…I hate to say it, but they’re right.
“But I don’t like the way I sound on a recording, the minute I hit record all my skill goes out the window, it makes me nervous, what if someone else hears it, what if someone else hears it and gives unsolicited advice, but I know it’s for practice and improving but I just can’t stop doing takes until it’s perfect.”
Does that sound familiar? I see you (unless you don’t wish to be perceived, I totally get it.)
I too was once very put off by recording my own playing and listening back. Sometimes I still am…but I feel the eugh an do it anyway.
Here’s why…
Practice tips: Late off of ties or rests? Try these.
Late coming off of a tie or a rest and playing the rhythm incorrectly or rushing to get back on beat? Add these to your practice toolbox to help you with these kinds of habits.
Practice journal reflections for musicians - play and curiosity
Today’s practice reflections brought to you by finding play in our practice and trying things just to see what happens.
Pre-practice prompts (and things to try)
Some pre-practice prompts and some things to try for today.
Sight-Reading Tips for Musicians
I’ve grown to love sight-reading, so here are some of my favourite tips!
Memorization tips for musicians
My memorization tricks!
These are three tools for memorization that I use that can help with reinforcing memory-work in music, and starting the challenge of memorizing music.
Interleaved Practice: be more effective in the practice room
I’ve got a problem with block-practice.
How I stumbled into changing my practice routine to the interleaved method, and how you can benefit from this style of practicing.
Practice journal reflections (after a break)
Practice reflections to consider when coming back after a super solid break (or any time really)
As I always believed, when coming back from an extended break, take time to be kind and rewind (a la Blockbuster Video)
So here are a few to think about to help get the most out of coming back home to your practice.