Practice Makes Perfect or Does It?
Last updated October 8th, 2009 at 10:12 p.m.Practicing often and practicing correctly is the key to becoming a better player. What do you do? 
Here are some great tips for getting the most out of your practice time. 
1. Practice in a Quiet Place with a Good Light. No TV on, please!
2. Make sure your instrument is in proper working order. If it needs to be repaired, tell your parents. They may not know until you do.
3. Make a Practice Schedule. Schedule your practicing along with the rest of your homework. Waiting to practice in our free time never works. Why? Who has free time?
4. Set Goals. Decide what you want to accomplish.
5. Concentrate. Don't let your new puppy or your little brother distract you.
6. Always use a good hand position. "Squeeze the Bunny"? 
Oh, no!
7. Relax and Practice Slowly. Listen to your pitches, count carefully, then speed it up little by little.
8. Practice the Hard Parts Longer. We don't always have to start at the beginning of the music. Find that really difficult measure or passage and practice just that until it improves.
9. Learn from Your Mistakes. We all make mistakes 
, but we don't want to practice the same one over and over. If the music says play a C natural and you play a C sharp, fix it right away and practice playing the music with the correct note.
10. Be Optimistic. You can do it! Work hard, smile and pat yourself on the back once in a while! 
