I get better faster if I follow a routine when I practice. I've tried it both ways – with a routine and without – and I've tried all kinds of routines. Some routines are better than others, and almost any routine is better than no routine.
I just created a new one. The whole thing is at the end, but here's the gist.
Settle down. Gather my materials. Open my book. Sharpen my pencil. In my practicing notebook, write down a To Do list for the rest of the day, so I can put that stuff out of my mind while I'm practicing.
In my practicing notebook write down a plan for two hours of practicing that is about 1/3 vocal practicing and 2/3 instrumental practicing.
Do what I planned in step 2. Take notes in my notebook. Use a metronome and, sparingly, the voice recorder app on my phone.
Take a 5-10 minute break half way through.
When I'm done, put everything away and say, “Thank you.”
This is much less specific than some of my earlier plans. I'll see how it works. I'm never finished tinkering with these things, and I update them every few months as my requirements change and as I learn more.
What should your plan be? I'd say it should be:
In existence. Everyone who wants to get better at something – and that's why we practice – will have more success, and be happier, with a routine.
Intentional. None of this “Let's see, what do I feel like practicing today?” stuff. It should be, “This is what I have already decided I'm going to work on this month.”
Personal. It should be yours – your ideas, your targets, your guesses as to how to go about it. A teacher may have good suggestions, but sometimes there isn't enough lesson time to cover practicing as well. And sometime there isn't a teacher.
Written down.
Slow to change. Give it a month before you start tinkering with it.
Why do you need a practicing routine? The short answer is that it work better. I realize that's a little bit like “because I said so,” so here's why I think it works better:
Practicing needs consistency, repetition, intention and commitment. That's really the only way it works. That's how muscles learn, and practicing is training your muscles. A routine is an easy way to build those things into your practicing.
There is more to learn than most people realize, and it all takes longer than most people expect. It's easy to get distracted by new songs and techniques, and it's easy to get discouraged or bored when things go slowly. The routine helps with both. It helps you work only on what you have decided to work on, and it helps you start every day with a plan and renewed enthusiasm.
Practicing is a lot of work with slow progress. It goes better if you take it seriously. Having a routine is taking it seriously.
There’s more in my book First, Learn to Practice. It’s on Amazon.
Here's the new routine. This one has a pretty simple outline, plus some reminders and philosophy. As I said, I'll see how it works.
DAILY ROUTINE - May 2023
Organize my work area.
Make a To-Do list for the rest of the day.
Make an outline for today's practicing session that is roughly one third vocal and two thirds guitar.
Use the metronome and the voice recorder.
Take notes.
Take a 5-10 minute break halfway through.
Say “thank you” at the end.
AND DON'T FORGET:
THE BASICS
Relaxed mind and body: How does it feel?
Tone: How does it sound?
BEST BANG FOR MY PRACTICING BUCK
Time
Vocals
Improvisation
REPERTOIRE
My songs
Songs for the duo
Songs to sing with A____
Cool covers
Jazz Standards
Jam tunes
Fiddle tunes
CYCLE THROUGH THE GUITARS
PRACTICE TIME IS NOT THE ONLY TIME I PLAY MUSIC AND NOT THE ONLY TIME I WORK ON MUSIC.
I'M LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS