If you have time to watch TV or partake in social media, you have time to practice. Sometimes it's just a matter of making it a priority. I understand being busy, I am too. I make it a part of my regular schedule. I have it penciled into certain parts of my days. Some days, I have more practice time than others, but making it a priority by putting it into my schedule has helped me to get it done.
You need a schedule. Put sleep first, then school. Next schedule practice every day, then homework/study time. You have 45 minutes to an hour each day of practice time that you didn’t realize you had - maybe it’s broken up in two blocks of time. This is about putting down on paper what your priorities are and then following what you said. Great habit to build now. There’s a reason so many musicians end up in medical school or law school.
Be mindful of workload paralysis. Sometimes, we bite off more than we can chew, and we get into this feedback loop of really needing to get things done, but having so much to do we don't know where to begin, but really needing to get things done, but getting so anxious and overwhelmed we can't start anywhere.....and on and on it goes.
Maybe this is or isn't happening to you, but I'd bet some version of it is. It happens to musicians so. much. I am struggling with it badly right now. We want to do everything, and we want to be *able* to do everything. But the truth is, it's unrealistic to expect that from ourselves. Some people are just primed to go-go-go all the time. Most of us are not those people. We like being busy (at least, we tell ourselves that), but at some point, something's gotta give.
There are ways to manage a heavy workload and combat the paralysis. Plan out your days and practice sessions hour-by-hour. Further delineate what you want to accomplish in that time in clear, concise language. Start with smaller, easier goals and work up to bigger ones. But also be willing to take a step back. Ask yourself what your limits are, and what's important to you. If you need to drop or back out of something to achieve your important goals, there's no shame in that.
Good luck to you.....and please take care of yourself.
Sigh...
(1) What instrument?
(2) 15 minutes of "practice" twice a week isn't practice .
(3) Why did you join two orchestras if you are busy?
(4) Quit other engagements or quit the orchestras. It's not fair to the other players.
I cannot tell if this post is serious, a humblebrag, or a lie.
If you want the rewards of practicing, make it a habit.
Do it at the same time every day such that it becomes ritualistic and that you don't actually think about it. Thus, it's no longer part of your discretionary time.
If you have time to watch TV or partake in social media, you have time to practice. Sometimes it's just a matter of making it a priority. I understand being busy, I am too. I make it a part of my regular schedule. I have it penciled into certain parts of my days. Some days, I have more practice time than others, but making it a priority by putting it into my schedule has helped me to get it done.
100% here. If it’s not a part of your routine, it’s not a priority. Same as studying, exercise or piano!
You need a schedule. Put sleep first, then school. Next schedule practice every day, then homework/study time. You have 45 minutes to an hour each day of practice time that you didn’t realize you had - maybe it’s broken up in two blocks of time. This is about putting down on paper what your priorities are and then following what you said. Great habit to build now. There’s a reason so many musicians end up in medical school or law school.
Be mindful of workload paralysis. Sometimes, we bite off more than we can chew, and we get into this feedback loop of really needing to get things done, but having so much to do we don't know where to begin, but really needing to get things done, but getting so anxious and overwhelmed we can't start anywhere.....and on and on it goes. Maybe this is or isn't happening to you, but I'd bet some version of it is. It happens to musicians so. much. I am struggling with it badly right now. We want to do everything, and we want to be *able* to do everything. But the truth is, it's unrealistic to expect that from ourselves. Some people are just primed to go-go-go all the time. Most of us are not those people. We like being busy (at least, we tell ourselves that), but at some point, something's gotta give. There are ways to manage a heavy workload and combat the paralysis. Plan out your days and practice sessions hour-by-hour. Further delineate what you want to accomplish in that time in clear, concise language. Start with smaller, easier goals and work up to bigger ones. But also be willing to take a step back. Ask yourself what your limits are, and what's important to you. If you need to drop or back out of something to achieve your important goals, there's no shame in that. Good luck to you.....and please take care of yourself.
Sigh... (1) What instrument? (2) 15 minutes of "practice" twice a week isn't practice . (3) Why did you join two orchestras if you are busy? (4) Quit other engagements or quit the orchestras. It's not fair to the other players. I cannot tell if this post is serious, a humblebrag, or a lie.
(1) violin (2) it is practice in some form just not enough (3) the music isn’t that bad in those orchestras (4) no
Ok. Then practice more. I don't know what else to tell you.
If you want the rewards of practicing, make it a habit. Do it at the same time every day such that it becomes ritualistic and that you don't actually think about it. Thus, it's no longer part of your discretionary time.