How long do you practise?

What a good topic. I hope lots of people offer their thoughts.

I always suggest to the people I teach that they first of all draw themselves up a timetable and see if they can fit a practice slot in.

The other thing I suggset is when they are doing homework/coursework/revision to have their flute out and music ready on the stand. Then have a timer of some sort. Set themselves the goal of doing 20 minutes homework/coursework/revision then do 10 minutes flute practice, then 20 minutes homework/coursework/revision and 10 minutes flute practice, etc. This way time isn't wasted. If you watch yourself when you are working you'll notice you waste time in all sorts of ways - getting a drink, sharpening a pencil, stroking the cat, checking Facebook, etc. If a time restraint is put on what you are doing, you get much more done as you are focussed. Also what a nice reward for a bit of hard work - flute playing!

I think Liz is correct when she talks about being efficient with time. It's true of work/revision and also of your practice time. It's better to do 30 minutes effective practicing than 60 minutes of poor practice...i'm sure your teacher can help with tips on efficient practicing.

You'd think working in the Music Industry and for a woodwind & brass company would make practice time easier...think again! Retail is the same in any industry and can be very time consuming...dare I say it sometimes the last thing I want to do after a long week is see any more musical instruments, let alone practice one :)

Sam @ Dawkes

I study only music and english, so i can practice a lot!! but i have english homeworks and every day i have to study many solfege lessons, so i try to study my flute lessons for two hours or more, but sometimes it's not enough and i try to play two hours in the morning and two more in the afternoon, cause i have a lot of things to practice!!it's hard but it's also a lot of fun!! =)

Thank you for those tips. I get distracted by my little sister and brother and by the next door's neighbours cat, Gemma. My Mummy is always telling me that my practise time could take me half the time it does. I must try not getting distracted then I can stroke the cat and play with my brother and sister for as long as I like!

I pratise flute for about a hour then move onto piano, then recorder, then oboe, then clarinet, then guitar! and that... usually takes 3 hours!