Aaahhh.... Summer. The sunny weather, the BBQs, the swimming pools, and plenty of free time without any homework. Its long awaited arrival is approaching at last. What better time than summer to gear up on practicing? Now that you don't have to worry about homework for other classes you can really focus on practicing the harp! No more excuses!
This is an excellent time to be setting goals for where you'd like to be when the school year begins. Is it your desire to test for level 5 or 6 in the ASTACAP harp exam this August? Do you want to be prepared to play a stunning solo during a student performance? Maybe there are a couple of great pieces you have been wanting to learn for the last several months, but due to the hectic schedule of the school year, they have been on your shelf collecting dust. Now is the time to be proactive and set the tone for the next year!
Consistency is key. Make it a habit to practice daily. If you wait to play a game or watch a movie after you have already practiced, it is much more rewarding than the guilt you will feel when you keep putting practice time off. If you miss practicing one day, make up for it by practicing more on the next day.
Strategic. Know your schedule and set daily goals for practice time. Are you too tired to practice after you come home late in the evening? Try practicing in the morning. Are you too busy rushing out the door in the morning? How about later in the afternoon? Keep a practice journal and find out which time of the day is easiest and then stick to it.
Just because you are devoting more time to practice does not mean you can't enjoy your summer. You don't have to practice 3 or 4 hours a day. The rule of thumb is: 30 minutes daily for beginners, 45 minutes to 1 hour daily for intermediate students, and 1 hour or 1 hour and a half daily for the advanced. Considering there are 24 hours in a day, that's not so bad, now is it?
By Abigail, Angelic Harp Academy
No comments:
Post a Comment