How To Practice a Musical Instrument Effectively

[@PlayInTheZone]

WATCH NEXT: How to get into the zone when you practice music - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5rJpImPjtx2a6M

[@MyJ2B]

I am an experienced guitar player and still watch this video every few months as I stumble back into bad habits. These are four KEY elements to achieving steady progress for any skill, not just music. Play and STAY in the Zone ! Thank you Mark !

[@aclassmedicine3306]

Persistence pays off. Mark is an excellent motivator and teacher, great instrument "side manner"!

[@PlayInTheZone]

Thank you kindly!

[@nununu8937]

1.Make sure you play things right when you play them. Break things into smaller chunks, slower than usual. 2. Focus on the parts that actually need work. 3. Make sure you engage with the material. 4. Be clear on where you are headed.

[@dawnastebbins7526]

Love the story about the Rach! One of my very fave composers.

[@josephfigliuolo7286]

Mark has helped me get out of a musical rut that has lasted decades! Thank you! I will join the boot camp in August 2021. These shorts help keep me motivated.

[@PlayInTheZone]

So glad to hear this, Joseph. Keep up the good work!

[@legendreXform]

I resonate with your last remarks about motivation so much - how it is so important for yourself to design your practice such that you see and feel the progress at each level, even if it means focusing on smaller goals. Big aspect of learning any skill in life really. Also love your emphasis on actively reflecting on the process, and asking what matters to you (not being overly concerned with fine precise details of technique, etc.)

[@yourboi5025]

Hey Mark! Good to see your subs are growing. I’ve been subbed since last year. I always like your videos even if it’s a repeat (helps to reinforce the fundamentals) Keep up the good work!

[@PlayInTheZone]

Thanks. I appreciate that! And it's always important to return to the fundamentals...

[@lilih6233]

All the four key elements are important and the one after those is very important for me which is working on something enjoyable. When you love a piece and want it to become your own then you get motivated. So love music as a whole helps finding new works with great inspirations for one to start a new project which keeps those four elements relevant forever

[@Rose-tu3vk]

Need this rn, my brain feels overloaded with information, I’m studying 4 different instruments and whew 😂 need to find some good methods so thank you

[@anjelmantel2866]

These tips helped me INSTANTLY AFTER USING THEM!!! I was playing the same passage for 2 hours before watching this video and looked this video up out our anger lol. Thank you so much!! I subscribed and will be watching many more of your videos!

[@samwheeler-brown7458]

These are great fundamental tips for anyone in an intermediate rut. Saved myself a lot time being wasted Mark thank you 🙏

[@PlayInTheZone]

So glad to hear that you've applied them and found them useful, Sam! Good work.

[@adsupermusone8875]

A very helpful recap. Slowly practice, then master it.

[@BILLzYDorbor]

Thanks for the update 🎉🎉

[@hairybananna269]

Absolutely excellent practice advise thankyou.

[@rideemnz]

Super helpful and practical info. Thank you.

[@davidmolloy126]

Thanks very much for a really helpful tutorial, I've liked and subscribed.

[@mikes4501]

Thank You!!!! Your practical tips are very helpful. I added this video to my saved playlist so I can review it again. Even the ads that popped up are helpful, especially Playground Sessions

[@PlayInTheZone]

Glad it was helpful, Mike!

[@lunchmind]

Thank you Mark A wonderful video(I took notes).

[@PlayInTheZone]

Glad it was helpful, Dana!

[@clairemarvell453]

Good, informed tips...I need to start subscribing at the end of the month. Have also liked 👍

[@PlayInTheZone]

Thanks so much, Claire! I appreciate it.

[@peterevelle5481]

At any playing level, this is great advice, and well worth reviewing periodically.....

[@PlayInTheZone]

Thanks, Pete!

[@srikantap]

Thank you!

[@PlayInTheZone]

You're welcome!

[@roystondowsett7325]

Hi Mark. Thanks for the Video. "Make sure you play it right" Yes I do this, slow enough to be perfect melody wise , but when it comes to tricky sub divisions I'm never sure if i really am perfect however slow I take it... .eg are my triplets or 1/16s exactly equal. I am trying to improve my timing. Any thoughts on knowing when its right ? thanks

[@PlayInTheZone]

Hi Royston. In those cases I tend to slow it right down. To the point where there's plenty of time to count every subdivision. That way you can be sure you're getting it right - and you'll eventually start to *feel* how it should sound rather than having to do everything by counting. That's when you can start to speed things up while being confident your timing is still solid.

[@GeorgeBletchly]

Very helpful. I'm 70 years old. Is improvement still possible at my age?

[@PlayInTheZone]

Glad it was helpful. And yes, you can absolutely keep improving at any age.

[@grantkoeller8911]

Mark florry flatjeff

[@ClivehWright]

Really interesting. Great videos. I am a bit confused as from my understanding it doesn't fit with what Huberman talks about and that you linked to in a different video. Am I right in thinking that slow, correct practice comes after you have put the repetitions in and made heaps of mistakes? Huberman link kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnuTenWweM94hs0

[@PlayInTheZone]

I think that's a decent summary, Clive. When you're learning an entirely new skill, you NEED to make mistakes. That's how the brain starts to understand how varying different parameters and approaches contribute to the success or failure of what you're doing. However, once you've got good at the basic skill and you're looking to make it solid and dependable for use in a specific context or situation then you want to do lots of "perfect" repetitions. (But you'll never get to the point of being able to do "perfect" repetitions without having made lots of mistakes when you start out)

[@Theo.1985]

You spelt practise wrong

[@asrafulhaque3598]

Why ?? can u tell something about this

[@isaiahfelix4458]

I'm sorry, but the D# instead of the F# in the thumbnail just ticks me off.

[@SimonSimon-rn3tm]

Please spell 'practise' correctly!

[@TheLadyLilyth]

I see your point, but his goal in using the American English spelling might be to widen his audience.

[@Daniel_McDougall]

It’s not about America vs British. Practice is the noun and practise is the verb.

[@mcleanblades9234]

he must be a very good performer ... but where is the proof? lets hear him play. well? the first 60 seconds of this video is useless babel. infact most of it is.

[@dawnastebbins7526]

I love this Mark! But I'm reading in Tiny Habits that motivation is not the most effective thing to bank on (?) Thanks so much, I am really getting a lot from the courses and videos 😘