Practice Your Way to the Top!

The great Emmet Fox once said, "Practice is the price of proficiency." In regards to daily practice, most of us think more than we do. The concept is nice, and we even recommend it to our friends, but we rarely get around to the business of really doing it ourselves. In the middle of an embarrassing performance we vow to ourselves, "I've got to start practicing." But as soon as we leave the stage, we turn on the television, grab some chips, and our vow is broken. We quickly forget that great performances are built on a foundation of consistent, arduous, daily practice.

We make appointments with other people we wouldn't dare break. Make a practice appointment with your self and keep it. Beginning is often the hardest part, but you can help yourself by scheduling your first session early in the day. Promise yourself to do a few sessions before noon, and you'll send your brain the message that daily practice is now a priority in your life.

Daily practice is the first great law of musical achievement. This law has been on the books since the beginning of time and has never been repealed. Make a commitment to make daily practice a ritual, like brushing your teeth or combing your hair. Write it into your personal constitution and make it a part of your identity.

What should I practice? How long should I practice? Do I need a daily routine? These are some of the questions that will come up as you start to design your daily practice program. You'll want to start a journal so that you can clearly see your questions and answers. Writing things down crystallizes your thinking and gives clarity to your thought process. Record in your journal specific problem areas, and the length of each session. I recommend a minimum of two or three 45-minute sessions a day. Also, record how much time you're spending on each area. You may find that you're spending more time entertaining yourself with hot licks than actually getting down to the business of intelligent practice. It's also important to write down the reason you are practicing, a particular solo, exercise, etude or scale. If you have a strong belief that what you're practicing is valuable, you're more likely to continue working on it with enthusiasm.

Knowing what to practice can also be a problem. A good private teacher can guide you in the right direction, and there are many great masters who can help you. All you have to do is ask, and they are more than willing to share their insights and experiences. But instead of asking, "What kind of mouthpiece do you use?" What model horn is that? "Do you use the new super duper valve oil?" "What's your highest note?" Ask intelligent questions: "How much did you practice when you were younger?" "Do you recommend long tones?" "How much time should I spend on my routine?" "What patterns do you use in scale practice?" Meeting with a master is an opportunity to learn from their life experiences. Always prepare and think of quality questions so you'll get the most out of your time with a master.

Another great law is the law of incremental improvement. This law says that all of your musical success will come in small increments. If you practice daily and if you practice intelligently, this law says that you must over time, become the musician that you want to be. As you begin to realize the law of incremental improvement, the law of momentum will naturally start to take affect. This law says that you build on your own success. Like a snowball rolling down a steep hill, your musical achievements will continue to get bigger and better.

Practice everything as if you were performing your Carnegie Hall debut. This is one of the most powerful skills you can ever develop. As this becomes a habit, you'll sound less like you're practicing when you find yourself in front of an audience. Schedule and perform – without stopping – a personal recital for your ears only. At the end of the week, record your performance, and upon completion analyze your recital. Later, when you begin to develop more confidence, put yourself on the line by performing this same recital for friends and relatives. (There is no better motivator than a gig!) These baby steps will give you confidence as you begin to perform before larger audiences.

It doesn't matter what you say; only what you do. Develop an action orientation towards daily practice. Make it a positive addiction. This is the ultimate investment in yourself and it will continue to pay dividends as long as you make deposits. This discipline will redefine who you are and give you confidence in all other areas of your life. For the serious musician, daily practice is not a trend; it is a way of life. Through it you will experience the ultimate joy of a job well done.

--Byron Stripling