Checklists for the Practice Room

Make a list.
Cross off the completed task.
Ahhh.
Sound appealing? If so, why not apply the same principle to the practice room?

I am a devoted follower of the Covey Quadrants and have set up checklists on Google Calendar to help me process tasks. The same approach is taken while structuring practice sessions. This need for organization includes the use of Excel spreadsheets. Not the creation of formulas and calculations, but to keep track of tempos, sections of music, knowledge of scales, techniques,or whatever needs organizing.

When preparing repertoire, analyze the music, determine form, notate the performance tempos of each section, and plot this information into a spreadsheet. For example, if the "A" section is 120 beats per minute, list "A Section" to the left and tempos from 40 bpm to beyond performance tempo across the top. As you accomplish the A section at 40 bpm, you can put a "yes" in the column. Instant and visible success! Before you know it, you are progressing in an efficient manner, have an understanding of the form, and clear goals in print for your next session.

Here are some useful checklists to print and use.

Scale Checklist

Rudiment Checklist

If you'd like these forms (or others I use) in Excel format, e-mail me.

Happy (organized) Practicing!!

For more practice resources, visit my website at www.jameswdoyle.com