My Emergency Practice Plan in Action

performing practicing Jul 29, 2013

Somehow I lost the last month. I had great intentions and a well-crafted practice plan, but it just didn’t work. We had a family reunion, plus I held harp camp and my website has been having issues. I had minor surgery. My son moved out of his apartment into another apartment and then went to on Italy for the summer. It’s been busy here, not really unusual, just busy.                     

                                                                       s© iQoncept – Fotolia.com                                                                                                     

But now I’m in crunch time. I have two important chamber music concerts in the next week and a half, and my fingers are way out of shape. So now I not only have good intentions and a good plan, but I’m motivated. You might even say desperate.

                                                                                                                                   

So in the interest of transparency, I have decided to share my crunch time practice plan with you. Here it is:

1. First, block out 2 hours a day on my schedule. Most days this will be from 8:30 – 10:30 am. Mornings give me the best chance at uninterrupted practice time. And two hours is all I can realistically promise myself.

2. Next, list all my repertoire with due date.

Concert August 4

Ravel Sonatine for flute, cello and harp

Vivaldi Sonata for cello and harp

Rutter Suite Antique for flute and harp

The Swan for cello and harp

Italian Lute Pieces arr. Dewey Owens for flute, cello and harp

Dussek Sonate en Trio for flute, cello and harp

Concert August 11

Debussy Danses

Saint-Saëns Fantaisie for violin and harp

Salzedo Chanson dans la nuit

Massanet Meditation from Thais for violin and harp

Most of this music I have performed many times, but some of these pieces are technically very challenging and I haven’t played them in a while. I have plenty of work to do.

3. Now I set up my plan following the 40/40/20 outline: 40% technique, 40% work on most difficult repertoire, 20% reviewing easier repertoire. My technique work will be a blend of exercises and technical passages from the repertoire pieces. This summer I have been using Salzedo’s Harpist’s Daily Dozen.

4. I set it all up on a simple chart and put it on my stand. I’m ready to go. I’ll keep you posted on my progress on Facebook on the ARS Musica page. I will post my daily practice plan, and let you know how much I got done. I can be sure of only one thing: these concerts will happen whether I’m ready for them or not, and I’d rather be ready!

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