Tip from 3/99 - Practicing 

"I Got It!”
 
Have you ever decided upon a goal that seemed a bit scary at first, but then, after working toward it and achieving it, you felt incredible?! I believe it is that feeling of “I got it!” that we seek when we practice our instrument. You can have that awesome feeling of success each and every time you practice if you just learn how to set your goals appropriately. 

It’s like the children’s story about Goldilocks and the three bears. Goals that are too far out of reach tend to frustrate us. We are just not ready to wait that long to feel successful. They are “too hard”. On the other hand, goals that are too easily achievable tend to bore us. We take the attitude of “Why bother working on this, I could do it anytime.” They are “too soft”. 

In between “too hard” and “too soft” is “just right”. It is a goal that makes us wait just the right amount of time while we work toward that feeling of “I got it!”, not too long, but not too short. I like to call these types of goals the next reasonable challenge. 

What is your next reasonable challenge? What size goal will motivate you take action? What goal will tease you just enough to make you want to try? It might be a page of music, or an entire movement. Or, it might be a measure or two. Only you will know the appropriate challenge. If you feel intimidated, it’s too much. If you feel bored it’s too little. If, you feel excited, it’s “just right”! 

Go for the “I got it!” and watch yourself grow! 

Submitted by Nicholas Ambrosino who can be reached at director@musicsimplymusic.com, or visited on the web at http://www.musicsimplymusic.com 
Copyright © 1999, Music Simply Music, Inc., all rights reserved. 

No part of this content may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from Nicholas Ambrosino. 

Tip from 3/99 - Practicing 
Many students start piano lessons and love them, but hate the practicing. Even students who have been studying for quite some time can become dissatisfied with the results they are getting from their practicing. Here are some tips to assist you in making your practicing more fun, more successful and more productive. 
 
1. Set small, achievable goals. 
Eventually you will be able to play the entire piece on which you are working. You can learn the piece and feel frustrated along the way, or you can learn the piece and feel successful as you achieve each small goal toward your bigger goal. Either way, you've learned the piece and feeling successful is much more fun! 

2. Practice for shorter periods of time. 
Unless, you are working on endurance, shorter practice periods (15-20 minutes) allow you to stay focused and feel alert. Six, thirty minute sessions are better than one, hour and a half session. Don't be afraid to take a 5 or 10 minute break throughout your practicing. 

3. Practice for results, not time. 
Like number 1, set a goal and practice until you reach that goal before going onto another goal. Don't just practice until 20 minutes are up. You'll be too busy watching the clock and not concentrating on accomplishing your goal. 

4. Know when to ask for help. 
If you have honestly worked on a goal and have tried all the tricks you know to accomplish it yet are still unsatisfied with your results, ask someone who has already played the piece you are working on. It could be your teacher or a friend or your mom or dad. 

5. If you feel frustrated, take a break. 
Often, we hear the phrase, “No pain, no gain.” I prefer to say, “Know pain, no gain”! Your body sends a pain signal when you are physically hurt to stop you from what you are doing. The “pain” of frustration is your minds way of telling you to take a break Pay attention to the sign of frustration; if you don't, the mind will usually increase the level of frustration until you do! 

Submitted by Nicholas Ambrosino who can be reached at director@musicsimplymusic.com, or visited on the web at http://www.musicsimplymusic.com 
Copyright © 1999, Music Simply Music, Inc., all rights reserved. 
No part of this content may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from Nicholas Ambrosino. 

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