Practicing Effectively
How to achieve higher levels of musical Euphoria
1. First Things First.
Preparing your space, your instrument, and your mind, are the foundations of great
practice session.
● Is your space comfortable, free of distractions, and have everything you’ll need to stay
put and focus?
● Is your instrument functional, tuned, and properly amplified?
● Is your mind ready to stay focused?
2. Create Your Path.
Music making is a creative, intellectual, and physical process. Understanding a hierarchy of
goals will let you know which approach to use and when. Here is a visual representation.
This fractal, representing a hierarchy of goals,
was compiled by Jonathan Harnum, author of The
Practice of Practice.
● We must focus on an ultimate goal
because it is our “north star” in making
decisions down the flow of the triangle.
● Notice the Single Practice Session
Goals. The immediate goal is the
determining factor for the actual tasks
we do during practice.