To become a successful cellist it is important to practice at home. I recommend that you should try to practice every day, if it is possible. The most important day to practice is, in fact, the first day after your lesson. Your mind remembers best on the day after the lesson, and it gives you a good start of the rest of your “practice week”. It is a good idea to take some notes right after, or during your lesson. This will make remembering so much easier.
Try to find a good time to practice. When you are not too tired, when you have time, and most importantly: let it be at time in the day where you don’t forget it. I know the struggle, having 3 kids at home who needs to practice. How easy it is to forget. But having a system, and a specific time in the day really helps us remember.
Practice times should be adjusted according to age:
7 years and younger: 5 to 10 minutes
From 8 to 11 years: 20 minutes
From 12 years: 30 minutes
From 15 years: 45 minutes
This should also be adjusted according to level. An advanced 12 year old might practice 45 minutes a day, while a 15 year old beginner would practice 10-20 minutes. Your teacher should be able to help guide you to a proper practicing routine, that is suitable for your needs. But if you are short on time: 10 minutes a day is ALWAYS better than 1 hour once a week!!!
Playing the cello should be fun, but we all experience days, where practicing is the last thing on earth we want to do. When that happens, take the day off, listen to some great music and get back to practicing the next day!
Don’t forget to stretch and move!
Playing the cello can be compared a little bit to doing a sports discipline. I write “a little bit” because you don’t run or move around and make big movements. But your fingers, arms and back actually does have to work rather hard – especially if you are practicing for many hours. Do make sure to move your body, stretch your muscles gently, and get some other types of movement for you arms and hands. Doing the same repetitive movements for a long time can damage your joints and soft tissue, so please be careful.
Have fun!
I hope that playing the cello will provide you with many great moments. Music is something that touches our emotions in an extraordinary way, and being able to play an instrument is a wonderful gift to have. Good luck – and remember to enjoy every moment!
Love, live, play!
Julie
