Practice Tip: Use a Practice UN-Chart instead of a Practice Chart

Posted by Elizabeth Devereux

If you’re taking music lessons, or have EVER taken music lessons, you have probably come across some sort of practice chart before.  It probably looks something like this:

They may be more complicated and specific to your instrument, listing what scales, exercises, and repertoire you’re supposed to practice that week or month:

I’ve seen MANY, MANY variations because I use them ALL the time with my students and I keep my eye out for new ones that might be helpful.

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Now, just for kicks, just for this week or maybe two, I want you to take your practice chart and THROW IT OUT THE WINDOW!!!!

Let’s try using a PRACTICE UN-CHART for the next few weeks instead.  It should look something like this, but NOT exactly like this, because the ONLY PRACTICE UN-CHART Rule is that it has to be made BY YOU to take you to UNCHARTED TERRITORY (only you know where that is for you, and it’s different for everyone…):

…Don’t worry, it makes sense to me.  Yours will, too.  I’ll give you a hint: if it doesn’t make sense at first, make up what it means!  If tomorrow you forget what it meant today, make up a new meaning for it then!  Just be sure you’re still practicing.