mindset

Nov 26, 2024 04:26pm

By Linda Ratcliff

Under hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, practice, practice smarter & mindset

2 min read

Stop Sloppy Practice

We need to practice with intention, focus, and precision to maximize the effectiveness of our practice sessions. Here are some key points to consider if, like me, you want to eliminate sloppy practice habits.

Pay attention to detail. Sloppy practice often results from overlooking small details such as fingerings, articulations, dynamics, and rhythm. Pay close attention to these elements and strive for accuracy in every aspect of your playing.
Slow It Down. Practicing slowly allows you to focus on …

Mind Mapping

There’s a new (to me) buzzword … mind map. A musical mind map is a diagram that represents the aspects of a tune you are learning. It can include the structure (Parts A & B), chords, melody line, lyrics, history of the tune, and the composer by using colors, symbols, pictures and words.

Simply put, a mind map is a flow chart that can help you learn a tune. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been finding it more difficult to see my music … neither my reading glasses nor my driving glasses help. Rather t…

How to Fix "I CAN'T"

I think I’ve told you before, I get pretty nervous when I perform. Now I did OK at the craft mall and the Butterfly Palace in Branson where I played 6 to 8 hours a day. While I was playing, people were walking around, and only a few sat down and really focused their undivided attention on what I was doing. But put me in front of a crowd to do a solo and my hammers start shaking.

This goes back to my childhood. My grandmother was a concert pianist who even played for Queen Elizabeth. My mother…

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mindset

Stop Sloppy Practice

Mind Mapping

How to Fix "I CAN'T"

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