Practice Makes Perfect?

I started learning the violin at age 3, and am still studying it at the age of 41. Lately, I have been taking jazz lessons with Rob Flax, a terrific improviser who studied at the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC). I’m learning a lot. However, I’m not certain my playing is improving as fast as it could, mostly because of my lack of self-discipline with practicing. Therefore, I’ve been asking around for advice.

My friend and neighbor Brad Stone is a classical guitarist and teacher, and he told me what he does. He breaks his practice time down into ten minute chunks, and uses a timer. During those chunks he focuses on one thing, such as slowing down a difficult passage and playing it perfectly. He often audio tapes or video records those ten minute chunks. Then, he goes back and listens to them using the “PRR Journal” method. PRR stands for Production, Perception, Response, and it basically means you listen / watch your ten minute chunk critically and then write down what was good, what wasn’t so great, and how you’d improve it in the future. He learned this PRR Journal method from a composer, theorist, and educator at NEC, Paul Burdick – because Brad also studied there.

So that’s my goal. Ten minute chunks, which I will put on my calendar. Then ten minutes to watch and critically appraise my musicality. I’ll put some of them on my Youtube channel. The goal of practicing this way is not perfection, but improvement. Here’s the first one, below.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this blog post, please feel free to leave a reply or share with others. And remember, my blog is always free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EtISHn2pr4