What takes you out of actual rehearsal work during rehearsal?
When I’m deep in rehearsal mode, I want to keep going, making the music better in every minute.
It’s a better idea to regularly step back and explain how your rehearsal techniques can be adapted to personal practice.
Most students have never watched someone else practice, so they may well flounder in the practice room. Ineffectual practice has the double effect of not improving performance and decreasing motivation to practice. We can upend this with mini practice strategy sessions in rehearsal.
Step back from running your rehearsal and talk about:
- choosing and repeating short sections
- marking music in rehearsal to return to in practice
- how to use and how not to use practice tracks
- setting goals
Don’t just talk about it – model practice. The 60 seconds you use to practice in front of your students will pay dividends every week afterwards.