David's Tip of the Day: Dividing Practice Time

Dividing your practice into different times of the day is very effective. Some of you know that I'm studying the upright bass right now and am in my wood-shedding years and consistent practice is very important. Here's how I structure my practice days...

MORNING
15m = Exercises: There are finger/intonation-based exercises that require daily, habitual practice to grow.
45m = Sight Reading: Using a method book for developing fingering positions and reading skills. This requires concentration, and the morning time is when I can focus best.

AFTERNOON
~15m = Scales: I can fit these in any time... 5m here and there gets the job done.
~15m = ii-V-I Progressions: Put on iReal (iPhone app) and play a random jazz song with basic root, 3rd, 5th and b5 movements.

EVENING
~30m = My brain is cooked when I get home after teaching 12 hours... BUT this time is perfect for playing music... no thinking... no stopping in the middle of the song for correction... just grooving! These are songs I'll be playing at jams or just songs I'm studying and want to be more smooth.

WEEKENDS
This is when I can dig into a new song... listen... transcribe... practice different combinations of how to approach... get it ready to work on over the new week.

So... this is for the bass... think how you would apply this to the harmonica...