Practicing Over the Summer - Why it's important, along with tips and tricks.

Your instructors probably tell you this at every lesson (if you aren't currently in a lesson but have played an instrument/sang in the past, you've definitely heard it before, too!): Practice, practice, practice!

But when summer vacation hits and you're free of school, recitals, ensemble work and everything that's weighed you down for the last academic year, it's difficult to find that motivation to keep up with your instrument.

One of the best pieces of advice I was given in college was that over long breaks, I should put my instrument and music away for the first portion of it. So over the two week winter break, put things up for three or four days. For the summer break, put things up for the first two weeks. And so on and so forth.

It's a great piece of advice to sit and take a break from practicing, rather than diving right into learning new music and scales. It gives your brain and practicing "muscles" a little bit of time to relax and rejuvenate, which will enhance your playing when you do actually pick up and practice.

Despite it being a good idea to take a short break from practicing, it is important to remember that practicing is very much something that needs to be done in order to further benefit playing skills. Try making practicing a part of your daily routine -- whether it's ten minutes of scale work or thirty minutes of repertoire work, getting a little bit in every day will prove to help in the long run.

Now for the advice on lost motivation when the weather is warmer and the thought of hitting the pool for hours a day is tempting -- practice first, reward yourself second! Psychologically you will soon associate practicing with some form of reward, therefore eventually wanting to practice every day.

And parents, if you have a younger student, try not to "force" them into practicing -- remember that their experience with music should be an enjoyable activity, not a forced behavior. Instead, try these tips to get them to practice:

1. Don't call it a "practice." Instead, tell them you want to hear them perform for you -- make it more fun by turning your living room into a personal stage for them! Sit and listen to their performance, and provide advice on things they should work on for next time. Performing for someone is much more enjoyable than sitting alone in a room practicing.

2. Even if you don't know a thing about their instrument, try to help them out if they are struggling with a certain part or instrument fingering.

3. Encourage them. If they hit a wrong note over and over, don't let them give up -- tell them how great it will sound once the right note is found, and keep ensuring that they can and will achieve it.

Practicing is difficult. I've played the same instrument for twelve years, and I can honestly say I didn't start really working hard and practicing on a daily basis until I entered college. I personally regret my bad practicing habits from high school. If music is something you or your student really wants to have as a permanent fixture in their lifestyle, practicing is of major importance -- even over summer break.