Practice is a skill

So, everything demands practice. You can’t just show up and expect to improve if you don’t take individual time to teach yourself. Yes, watch, look, and edit your rehearsal. Rehearsal is different from playing.

I was always intrigued with new piano students and their practice skills. The students that STOPPED themselves when they made a mistake to correct it. The students that kept going, did not correct themselves never really improved. 

However, the next step, after correcting your mistakes is to put the entire piece together. The high achieving student not only stopped, but also played the entire piece in order to have a PLAN for the next rehearsal. 

I loved talked to students and ask the question “What is it that you are working on?” If they could not tell me, that was a red flag. Everyone should have something they are working on or going to “practice” or “figure out,” the next time they practice. 

So, I practice singing everyday, in the effort to extend my range since now I am in a choir that demands my high register. I also go over all of the songs and rhythms. I am currently working on a Latin piece that is quite tricky with the notes and words.

I started a drawing class a month ago, and I am drawing every day. This is quite a risk since I haven’t had an art class since the eighth grade. I have erased and redrawn many objects in my first drawing. I need to work on shading and practice the shading technique.

Golf, sad to say it had taken a back shelf. I did manage to golf last Sunday and played the best round in the group and a personal best. I hit seven greens and had two terrific puts! I look to work on my putting this week. 

Finally, my Pickleball game. I currently am going to take a few lessons from a great Pickleball player to improve my strategy and direction of the ball. The soft game is really what I need to work on and I also need a faster and harder serve, that will mean an hour by myself serving on the court. 

Yes, I am working on my third career. Here it goes!

Something artsy old - Singing. 
Something artsy new, take a risk - Drawing
Something athletic old - Golf
Something athletic new, take a risk - Pickleball

Got to go practice right NOW!

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