In the spirit of reflection, here are some of my favorite practice prompts and contemplative questions from MPR over the years.

A new piece of music you set out to learn is represented by a jar. The things you do to practice the piece are marbles.

When you’re trying to make progress in your music, start by moving from Step 1 to Step 2 instead of Step 9 to Step 10.

In music, body doubling can look like warming up with a friend, playing duets together, or going to the school practice rooms together.

What if, instead of working hard, we work fully?

You have to put the time in even in the messy in between, even when you aren’t inspired, if you want to see any real improvement.

I have been really interested in exploring the balance of intentionality in practicing.

Fundamentals themselves are non-negotiable, but the way we approach them is entirely flexible, free, and LIMITLESS.

When our primary goal is looking good at what we do, we suffer. When our primary goal is learning and growth, we approach life differently.

The thing about mistakes is that they themselves are not bad, but they are sending us a message.

The problems with high notes range from getting lightheaded, forgetting fingerings, or just plain not being able to get the notes out.

Young musicians can benefit immensely from this patient process and they will grow into self-aware teachers of themselves. Slow practice pro

We’ve been in this pandemic for a year. Some of us are uninspired with our instruments and some of us are drained in general. No matter...