V.com weekend vote: On average, how many hours a day will you practice this summer?

June 14, 2013 at 7:12 PM

The official start of summer is nearing, and so it's time to talk about how much you will be practicing this summer.

Are you going to make extra progress, or are you going to slack off? Of course, a little vacation time might be necessary, and you probably shouldn't take your fiddle on an outdoor camping expedition.

Still, here is my suggestion: make progress and have some fun with your music this summer. And here is the first step, commit to a level of practicing!

On average, how many hours a day will you practice this summer?

From Kevin Keating
Posted on June 14, 2013 at 10:27 PM

I'm 46 with a full time 40 hr/wk job and other obligations, so not much will change as far as my practice time. The point is however, regardless of wether you have 1 hr or 6 hrs to practice, the object is to be deliberate and dedicated to spending time doing something you love. Concentrate on the trouble spots, cherish those hard won break through moments, and have fun with pieces you know well.

From Ellie Phillips
Posted on June 15, 2013 at 12:46 AM

My goal is 5 hours... Hasn't worked yet. :P Thankfully, I got permission to practice at my church on weekdays, where there will probably be a lot less distractions. So I have hope!

From Randy Walton
Posted on June 15, 2013 at 2:11 AM

I was looking for the choice "not enough"....didn't see it....also didn't see "as much as possible". :)

From Brian Kelly
Posted on June 15, 2013 at 3:57 AM

You should take your violin/fiddle everywhere. Of course, you leave your expensive instrument at home but everybody should have a 'travel' violin that they can take with them anywhere in the world to practise.

No excuses for slacking off !

From Millie Bartlett
Posted on June 15, 2013 at 4:57 AM

Brian, you and I think alike I see. I have just aqcuired a suitable travel violin, and finally, a well priced but tough case that holds only a violin. I often travelled to Cairns or other parts of oz without my instrument because of the difficulties on airlines, but now I can take it without worry. I'm also going to Europe for a month in August and intend to take my 'traveller' along. No excuses not to practice now!

From Brian Kelly
Posted on June 15, 2013 at 9:13 AM

I use a light foam violin case that also takes a bow. I never have any problems travelling on international flights but on domestic flights it usually has to go as checked baggage. Always tell the airline that you will be travelling with a violin when you book your ticket.

I am currently having an electric violin set up for me (geared pegs, new bridge etc.). I may take that with me on my next trip to China. It should be even more robust than an acoustic violin.

From Paul Deck
Posted on June 15, 2013 at 4:36 PM

Does thinking about practicing or wishing we could be practicing count?

As for travel violins, c'mon folks. Just go into the room where you have your collection of two or three dozen rare early-18th-century Italian violins and pick one! Sheesh.

From Mark Roberts
Posted on June 17, 2013 at 3:47 AM

Depends on whether just the violin or all instruments.

From Charlie Gibbs
Posted on June 18, 2013 at 5:56 PM

I have a hard enough time getting in half an hour of practice a day at the best of times. But this summer I'll be stopping lessons, the orchestra doesn't meet again until September, and I'll still be sneaking practice time at lunch - so my schedule should continue unchanged.

As for leaving your violin at home, maybe if it's your Strad - but take a cheap one with you. Last summer we went hiking in the Donner Pass with a violin-playing friend. He didn't bring a violin, so I brought two. We have a video of the two of us playing together in the mountains at 7000 feet. The photo in my blog is me pausing to play on the way up - hiking boots, backpack, and all.

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V.com weekend vote: On average, how many hours a day will you practice this summer?

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