young woman joyfully playing a violin - the power of a practice schedule“How you shape your practice schedule will in many ways determine the course of your creative life.”
The Musician’s Way,
p. 11

Consistent, deep practice is the rocket fuel of musical development.

When we live by regular practice schedules we reap countless benefits.

Here are six major ones. See The Musician’s Way for specific strategies to maximize the productivity of your practice.

Six Benefits of Maintaining a Regular Practice Schedule

1. Insight

Our devotion to practice sharpens our artistic insight because our creative faculties get ongoing exercise. We perceive the expressive essence of a piece more and more quickly and then are able to maintain interpret flexibility, continually refining our interpretations.

2. Energy

During the periods between practice sessions, we know when we’ll practice next, which helps us keep musical goals in mind, adding to our creative energy.

3. Pacing

When we know that specific times are set aside for practice, we can better pace our learning and plan each practice session.

4. Productivity

Consistent practice enables us to be maximally productive day after day. Even on difficult days, we can accomplish meaningful tasks.

5. Motivation

The productivity we gain bolsters our success and amplifies our motivation to work. We can look forward to practice because we know that each session moves us forward on our creative path.

6. Balance

The Musician's Way book cover - The Power of a Practice ScheduleBecause we carve out periods to practice, we can also set aside time for self-care, relationships, career development, and more.

As a result, we grow as artists and live balanced lives in the process.

For tools to help schedule, organize, and evaluate practice, explore the free music practice tools at MusiciansWay.com.

Related posts
Assessing Your Practice Habits
Efficient Practice
Maintaining Repertoire
The Twin Aims of Deliberate Practice
Upgrading Your Practice Habits

© 2013 Gerald Klickstein
Photo © violetblue, licensed from Shutterstock.com