Practice DOES NOT make perfect--Practice makes PERMANENT.  Therefore, great care must always be taken while practicing.  I have no desire to waste practice time, and I'll bet you feel the same.  Here are 10 tips for better, more effective music practice: 

1.  Have a Plan:  Set goals, and structure your practice time to   meet those goals.  Design your practice routine to touch upon all major facets of music making.

2.  Use a Metronome:  Every place it is applicable, you should use a metronome.  This is the ONLY way to develop good time.  It will only hurt at first. 

3.  Pay Attention:  Don’t practice in front of the T.V.  Focus on the task at hand.  Listen to yourself closely.

4.  Be Demanding:  Hold yourself accountable.  Don’t give up.

5.  Improve your concept:  Listen to great musicians.  Try to sound like them.

6.  Take Breaks:  Practice when you are mentally fresh.  You’ll get more done this way.

7.  Use Practice Tempos:  Sometimes these will be slower, sometimes faster.  There is much to learn from practicing at different tempos.

8.  Record Yourself:  It’s the only way to know what you REALLY sound like.

9.  Make Mistakes:  Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something.  Get friendly with your mistakes, but don’t make the same ones repeatedly.

10. Play with Abandon:  You can’t make music if you’re scared.  Nobody every died from this stuff.  Go for it!

©2007 James Smock