I found myself using this phrase (title above) again with my
elementary band students and it is applicable in all levels of musical
performance. If you get lazy while
you’re practicing little issues (I call them “gremlins”) can insert themselves
into your performance. Perhaps you are
playing an instrumental rhythm inaccurately because you did not practice it
initially at a slow enough tempo.
Perhaps you are approaching a certain vocal note, but you decide to push
through that part instead of vocalizing it on different syllables.
There are many different “gremlins” that can enter into your
musical performance but there is one way that they get in, and that is lazy
practicing. I know it is difficult to
stay focused throughout your practice time.
I know that sometimes you just feel like jamming through the songs and
having fun. However, every time you play
or sing you are shaping your musical habits and abilities. Jam on a song that you are prepared to do so
with. This is a good way to put the
final polish on a performance before the gig.
However, you shouldn't be jamming on everything, especially material
that is in need of technical improvements.
Lately, I have been breaking my practice sessions up into
smaller segments. Studies have shown
that we get the most out of the first and last ten minutes of our practice
time. Some people like to take a literal
approach to this and practice in twenty minute segments throughout the
day. I find that some days I am in the
zone and can have a very productive and long session. Other days I need more frequent breaks. The
important thing is that I keep my focus throughout the session and don't let
those "gremlins" creep into my performance.
