I’m going to make an effort to put in a bit more deliberate practice this coming year or so, as I’d like to improve my skills a bit.
Those of you who practice regularly, how to you go about it? Do you simply work tunes, or are there other exercises you work on? Do you have a routine you go through, or just play as the spirit leads?
My standard practice on a brass instrument involves a warm-up (usually scales and related exercises), something easy/fun, a new piece I’m working on, some sightreading, and end with something easy/fun.
That’s all fairly standard. But obviously the scales and sightreading don’t apply to whistle, which I play by ear.
I start with the Silver Spear. Always. Don’t ask way. That dang tune never gets old. Then I play other oldies I know well, and if I’m having any trouble I stretch my fingers, run some scales and arpeggios and stuff (which DO apply to whistle, and definately to Irish music), practice bars I’m doing badly on, etc. Once I feel comfortable with the instrument I usually play through the tunes I’m learning right now, and try to memorize at least one, usually two, tunes a day (which doesn’t mean be able to play, but be able to hear the music and name the notes in my head).
I just play what I feel like. If I feel like playing old favorites, I play old favorites. If I feel like working on a new tune, I work on a new tune. I think the key to maintaining practice is enjoying the practicing, and the key to that is doing what you enjoy, rather than sticking to a strict regimen.