Hi folks just wondering how much time folks dedicate to practising their instruments. I know there are limitations with circumstances in giving time to practice but I am just curious!
How much practice time would you devote for example if you consider a beginner level, intermediate level and an advanced level ?
Cheers
pkev
I would say the actual amount of TIME varies from person to person. Given that I personally don’t have much time to practice, I focus on quality practice. That is to say, I really focus on TONE. Don’t keep playing if the tone is wrong. If I only have 30 minutes to practice - as is often the case - I would rather play three tunes with an acceptable tone, than play ten tunes just 'cause I know them.
To answer the actual question, I practice about two hours a week currently. Occasionally, when I get really fired up about flute I’ll play a lot more. Currently, I’m in a downer phase (i.e: I’ll never sound like Jack Coen or Mike Rafferty so what’s the use).
In short, it’s quality before quantity.
Best regards,
Jeff
I try for 45 minutes to an hour or more a day depending on what else is going on. I usually set 4:00 PM as the start time if I’m home by then and nothing pressing is getting priority time. Weekends sometimes offer more time but then I break it up to two or three times a day, if possible.
I’m a reader so my warm up time is devoted to reading/playing through a number or tunes before concentrating on tone, memory, or whatever.
BillG
There was a discussion on this not that long ago:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=35991
I think I play about 5 hours a week. Usually in 1-hour turns. I try to memorize the tunes so I try to play every single one I know to keep it in my head + work on some new ones. I know this can’t continue 
but I don’t know that menu tunes yet.
Then I have made and printed a document with the first line of notes of each tune I know - that way I can refer to that if I can’t remember them. Helps me remember the names too. I know some find this pointless but I like it
/Brian
Yeah, this is getting difficult. I’ve found I’m kind of starting to alternate on a several days to week basis. I’ll play traverso for a few days and concentrate on those tunes, then play Irish flute for several days and concentrate on those tunes. Play jigs for a day or two, reels for a day or two, then other stuff. I’ve got shit for brains when it comes to keeping tunes entirely in memory, so I try to go through every tune in a weekend every few weeks.
i’ve only been playing the flute since thanksgiving. when i first was learning, i practiced during commericals in hopes of getting a sound before running out of breath. my practices still include short term sessions since one of my current goals is to be able to pick up a flute, find the sweet spot, and play a tune all without fumbling. my practices include about 1/2 hour every other day of playing duets with my wife while she plays the keyboards and the dog experiences musical bliss. a third portion of my practice is picking out tunes that cross my mind without using sheet music. so, to answer your question, i have no clue how much time i spend practicing. i also can’t wait to practice while floating in my backyard swimming pool and on canoe trips. i’m really not sure when it quits being practice and when it becomes playing either.
Here’s my own take on it
When I first started I was 14 and got totally hooked straight away which basically meant that I sacrificed whatever else I was doing to play music. I became really obsessed with it and would practice 2-3 hours a day after school and 4-5 hours on
a Saturday & Sunday. This meant that my sport & leisure activities and for that matter courting activities, took a back seat for a few years.
Even when I started working I still put in a good 2-3 hours a day but would play different instruments as well. ie Mandolin, guitar, keyboard, etc
Getting married and having 3 kids put the kybosh on practicing a bit but I could still manage 3-4 hours a day or to be more accurate 3-4 hours between 10 at night and
2 am after kids and wife went to bed.
I don’t do as much practice now cos I’m either teaching, rehearsing & gigging with various bands, or messin around with my home studio.
I have never been a full time professional musician just semi professional which suits my family circumstances. Although I have had various opportunities to play professional, I just never thought it was wise cos my wife would have divorced me for sure (maybe there’s still time!)
Anyway to conclude, whether the practice time I have put in justifies my musical ability, I care not a jot as I have enjoyed it so much and it has given me the opportunity to play the music I love.
My advice then, practice as much as you want to or have the opportunity to play
Cheers
pkev