How to Practise When You Don't Have Much Time

So, you've got a concert programme to work on and very little time in the week to practise it - where do you start and how can you make the most of your time to get as much done in the least amount of time? As a fellow busy bee that has to find time to practise between band rehearsals, a full time job, planning a wedding, running this little side project that you're currently reading and trying to have some shred of a social life - I can relate!

This is my approach to trying to work on as much as I can in the small stretches of time I have to practise! Hopefully some of it is helpful if you're finding yourself in the same boat!

1. Grab a Pencil

Leaving your instrument in its case may seem counterintuitive, but just hear me out. Before you do anything that involves a mouthpiece (or sticks if you're a percussionist), get your stack of music and a pencil (mechanical, HB, a fancy one with little music notes - you do you, Boo). Then go through each piece thoroughly and mark up any areas you know are likely to trip you up. I choose to put a star next to these bits, but pick any shape/squiggle you fancy.

For example, if you struggle with double tonguing - mark it up. If you normally rush through and get your fingers in a twist over technical semiquaver runs - mark it up. If you regularly split notes jumping between large intervals - mark it up. Whatever you know are your 'Achilles' heels' - mark it up.

2. Set a time

Figure out how much time you can dedicate to practice between now and your next rehearsal then try and split up the 'bits' you've marked up across that time. Your target is to try and work through as many as you can. If you can't get through them all, don't worry - just try to get as much sorted as you can.

During that time, set a timer and put away any distractions. Try and work in a quiet room and use up every minute of that time.

3. Pick some exercises

If you notice a theme with the bits that you've marked up - i.e. a lot of it is double tonguing, try and find some exercises that work on that particular technique or, if you have a hymn book, subdivide your part into semiquavers and put a metronome on slow and practice double tonguing whilst slowly speeding up the metronome. Once you feel a bit more confident with that technique go back to your pieces and apply what you've learned.

4. Use rehearsals for run-throughs

Don't waste your practice sessions running through the piece or bits you know you can play if you're strapped for time! Instead work on those tricky bits at home then use rehearsals to run through them in context.

BRING A PENCIL WITH A RUBBER TO BAND!!!

When you're running through the pieces in band rehearsals, rub out any bits that you've sorted and mark up any bits that are tripping you up in rehearsal.

5. Rinse, repeat

In your home practice work through the bits that have tripped you up in rehearsal and repeat the above process.

Bonus Tip

If there is a bit that is continously tripping you up, regardless of how long you've spent on it at home - ask for help! Approach your conductor or someone you trust in your band to give you a helping hand!

Happy Practicing!

I hope these quick tips have been at least of some use to you. Pat yourself on the back for wanting to use your spare time to master your playing - you could be doing something far less useful like watching Coronation Street! Cut yourself some slack!