Lance LaDuke - Music Practice Coach: Five Workouts for Getting the Most out of Your Practice Time!

Copyright 2011 Lance LaDuke

All rights reserved

Photography by Quinn LaDuke

For more information, visit: musicpracticecoach.com

PRACTICE FITNESS ASSESSMENT

To kick things off, please take a moment and answer these questions. We need a snapshot of where you are today, so we can track your progress! Score one point for each yes.

WORKOUT #1: S.M.A.R.T. GOALS

1. Do you have specific short, mid and long-term playing goals?

2. Do you know the specific steps you must take to reach your goals?

3. Do you have musical ideas you hope to express?

4. Do you know what the letters in S.M.A.R.T. represent?

5. Do you know how to make a S.M.A.R.T. goal?

WORKOUT #2: HOW?

1. Do you know your specific learning style?

2. Do you have a toolbox of strategies for fixing problems?

3. Do you understand the importance of recording yourself?

4. Do you have the resources you need for improving your skills?

5. Do you know how to budget your time to maximize your progress?

WORKOUT #3: WHAT?

1. Do you know what you will accomplish in your next practice session?

2. Do you record your skill-area levels (scales, range, articulation speed)?

3. Do you know which specific passages you need to improve?

4. Do you have target dates for accomplishing your goals?

5. Do you have musical expression goals (phrasing, dynamics, theory)?

WORKOUT #4: WHY?

1. Do you know what motivates you to practice?

2. Do you know the difference between internal and external motivators?

3. Do you know how to turn your motivations into goals?

4. Are you familiar with the Pareto Principle?

5. Do you make time to play just for fun?

WORKOUT #5: HURDLES!

1. Do you know which assumptions or fears are holding you back?

2. Do you strategize to cope with boredom or frustration?

3. Are you aware of the hats you must wear when you practice?

4. Do you have strategies for overcoming procrastination?

5. Do you have specific models you are trying to emulate?

YOUR SCORE!

Total: ______/25 x 4 = ______%

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

by Sam Pilafian

INTRODUCTION

There are many publications promising a fast track to quality musical skill development. It is easy for all of us to "talk-the-talk," but the wise learner is always seeking the mentor who "walks the talk." Lance LaDuke is one of those rare individuals who is a master educator, a world-class performer, and - simply put - a remarkable human being, all wrapped around a brilliant perceiver of life. His playing/teaching successes are well known around the globe, and now we can all enjoy his latest contribution. The secret no longer is a secret, but you can access (through this book) the tried-and-true techniques of PERSONAL PRACTICE SUCCESS. While we all know it requires self-disciplined personal investment, it is (at best) an elusive pathway which often gets lost in myriad of reasons...not any longer thanks to the user-friendly sharing of Lance LaDuke.

For the most part ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE in all of life's challenges requires one commonality: TIME ON TASK. There is no shortcut, and Lance has unfolded a template certain to advance any musician (young-and-old-alike) to a new mastering of the mandated skills availing the player access to great music, and even greater music making. Above all, the pages to follow are written in a sequential-guided curriculum guaranteed to benefit all those who are seeking an understandable and measurable ascension to the treasury of artistic expression.

This book is certain to become a mainstay for all serious musicians, however it is written in the Lance LaDuke user-friendly style that has become a signature trademark quickly recognized by his legion of loyal followers.

It is an honor and a privilege to "introduce" you to MUSIC PRACTICE COACH, and invite you to take advantage of this grand opportunity to become key member of the Lance LaDuke PLAYBOOK.

Tim Lautzenheiser

PREFACE

When becoming serious about our music and committing ourselves to practice time, we will, in a room alone, inevitably get inside of our own heads and ask the Big Questions (which can create much doubt)...

WHY am I doing this?....HOW will I ever get to where I would love to be?...WHAT On Earth should I be doing to achieve my musical goals?...

In his role as our "Music Practice Coach", Lance LaDuke has organized our thinking so that we can MOVE forward by DOING in a goal and time - oriented way. We will be inspired and impatient to get into PRACTICE MODE !

Thank You,Lance !

.... For creating an atmosphere of musical self-awareness to see where we are and where we want to go.

Thank You,Lance !

...for those practice sessions that end with an afterglow of accomplishment, and an eagerness to set our goals for the next session.

Thank You, Lance !

...for letting us implement your ideas to make ourselves into perpetual improvement machines !! (... And EVERYONE loves getting better! )

Thank You,Lance !

...for teaching us that by organizing our goals and timelines we can truly enjoy our DAILY PRACTICE and find it as rewarding as the goals we are striving to achieve !

And finally...

Thank You,Lance !

... For your wonderful use of humor to keep our work in perspective....You know...You really DO look like Rodin's "Thinker "!!

Why all the clothes??

Your Fan,

Sam Pilafian

A QUICK NOTE FROM THE COACH

The MUSIC PRACTICE COACH workouts will help you learn HOW, WHAT and WHY to practice. They will challenge you, help you find tools to diagnose your weaknesses and improve any area of your playing, whether you pluck, strum, bow, blow, strike or sing!

Whether you are just starting out, have been playing for years or are coming back to playing after a break, I hope these workouts help and inspire you to reach (AND SURPASS) your goals! No one can practice FOR you! YOU have to put in the effort! Dont just play the notes, dig deeper and make it your own!

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

1. Take the FITNESS ASSESSMENT

2. Read the book

3. Do the exercises

4. Fill out the worksheets

5. Take the FITNESS RE-ASSESSMENT

6. REPEAT AS NEEDED!

Feel free to do these workouts in any order. I recommend that you do each of the workouts at least once, but you may find that you are more interested in starting with the WHY or the WHAT. Great! Do that! If you are really frustrated, it may be helpful to jump right to the HURDLES (pardon the pun)!

Sprinkled throughout the book are quotes from musicians of all ages, with tips and thoughts on practicing. Many are from low brass players, since thats what many of the folks in my inner circle play. However, I think youll find their thoughts are universal.

In each workout, youll find FIT TIPS and BONUS DRILLS to explore and apply new concepts. The WORKSHEETS at the end of the book help you flesh out your S.M.A.R.T. practice plan. Since this is an e-book, youll need to print them out (If I had to explain that to you, you probably dont know how to use an e-book, so never mind.). You can also find the worksheets and additional resources at musicpracticecoach.com.

When youre done, be sure to take the PRACTICE FITNESS RE-ASSESSMENT to track your progress and identify areas you may need to review.

Now, LETS WORKOUT!

WOKROUT #1: S.M.A.R.T. GOALS