Here are "The 12 Rules of Practicing" from the PBS Series, "Marsalis on Music", Part 4, "Tackling the Monster". Wynton Marsalis talks with cellist, Yo-Yo Ma about hating to practice, how to do it anyway, and how to do it correctly.
If you are a beginner, we suggest that you also read our Starter Info Page.
The 12 Rules of Practicing
- Seek out private instruction. It could take years to figure out what a good teacher could show you quickly.
- Write out a schedule. Include fundamentals always.
- Set goals. Chart your development. Challenge yourself.
- Concentrate. Develop the ability to FOCUS. Do not "just go through the motions.".
- Relax, Practice Slowly.
- Practice Hard Parts Longer. Confront your deficiencies.
- Play with Expression. Give yourself over to what you are doing. Do everything with the proper attitude. Do not be a cynic. The expression you play with is your style.
- Learn from Your Mistakes. Do not be too hard on yourself. Resolve to improve each day.
- Don't Show Off. Expression, not tricks or gimmicks. Showing off misses the point of group playing.
- Think for Yourself. Respect your teacher, but think things through for yourself.
- Be Optimistic. How you feel about living is who you are.
- Look for Connections. The more you discover similarities in things that seem to be different, the greater the world you can participate in.
Thanks to tspain6902@aol.com for passing this along.
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