The 4-Step Checklist to Improve Your Practice Results Today

"The more I practice the luckier I get" –ARNOLD PALMER

One basic way to increase the effectiveness of your practice is to move from purpose-based practice to objective-based practice. 

• Having a purpose means you know what you want to work on.
  Example: “I want to improve my A-flat major scale.”  Ok, but this is incomplete.

• Adding an objective makes that purpose measurable and specific.
  Example: “Play an A-flat major scale, hands together, 2 octaves, with the metronome set at 70 bpm per quarter note.”  Bingo. 

With a measurable objective, you can quickly assess (yes or no) whether you succeeded at the end of the practice session. 

HOW TO SET AN OBJECTIVE: 4-step checklist

1. Set Objectives Before You Begin
   Especially for less experienced players, objectives must be clear BEFORE you start playing. “Seeing what happens” often wastes time and can even reinforce bad habits.  
2. Keep Objectives Manageable
   Your goals should be achievable within the practice time you have. If you play something at 50 bpm, setting an objective of increasing to 100 bpm in one sitting is unrealistic. 56 or 60 would work.  Over time, you’ll get better at choosing the right scope. 
3. Make Objectives Measurable  Metronome markings, number of times in a row correctly (I like 5-6x).  Make a list.  Find a metric.  Keep track.

1. Make Objectives Iterative to the Purpose
   You won’t “master scales” in one session. Instead, focus on one piece of the puzzle, like fingering accuracy, and gradually layer in other aspects (tempo, dynamics, evenness) across future sessions until you achieve fluency.   

Use this checklist to create objectives and transform your practice today for better results later.