Who is practicing?

Only you know for sure.

You have to be your own watchdog and find the discipline to make yourself practice. Don't rely on others to prompt you to practice your instrument.

Remember, there are all kinds of practice - new material, conditioning, exercises for speed and dexterity, sight reading, transposing, listening, creating new music and/or sounds. So, don't think you only have to practice your lesson from the week before. Of course, you should keep on the path you and your teacher have chosen, as everything new builds on something old.

Even Keith Richard from the Rolling Stones admitted that he is "about half way there" when asked how he thought of himself as a guitar player. There is always something you can do to learn more about your instrument. Even the most successful, influential and talented artists strive to be better. So should we all.

Back to School?

So, what did you accomplish over the summer? Did you learn some new songs? Did you work on your "chops"? Have you gotten better? I hope you used the long break to your advantage.

Many of you will be heading back to school and will have less time to play your instruments, but it is important to make some time each day so you don't slip backwards. Remember, it's better to play 10 minutes a day than it is to play 40 minutes one day and nothing for 4 days.

Schoolwork is very important, so don't let that slip, but plan your time so you can play your instrument some each day. Reward yourself with 15 minutes of playing after you finish 20 vocabulary problems. Or, play your guitar right after you get done with your homework...that will give you something to look forward to when you're done with math or geography.

Or, how about playing yourself a bed-time song right before hitting the sack? Music can help you relax and, who knows (?) you might even sleep better too.