How to Practice Like an Athlete

I was interviewing a student today for what will be podcast episode #5. She said something brilliant.

Well, she said many brilliant things. But, I don't want to ruin the surprise before the episode is released on March 29th.

So, for now, we will focus on the one aforementioned brilliant thing.

I asked this student how she structures her practicing, especially when it comes to tackling the tough challenges.

She said that she starts her practicing with scales and review pieces she has already learned. The relaxing stuff. This is to warm up.

Then, she tackles the hard stuff that requires more bandwidth. The stuff that builds the skill muscle and levels up her playing, but all the same requires a bit more grit and patience.

And finally, to finish her practice session, she will go back to less-intense things. A smooth ending to the practice session.

It occurred to me that this is exactly how athletes train.

I mean, we make comparisons to athletic training all the time. But, to hear it articulated so well by a 12-year-old girl practically brought forth tears of joy.

Not that I'm a particularly experienced athlete, though. I took a Pilates class in the fall of 2010 and I'm still walking funny.

But, in principle, it's exactly the same. You wouldn't dive into an intense workout without warming up your muscles first. You also wouldn't finish an intense workout and go straight to your job without cooling down first.

The same can be said of practicing the piano. Or practicing pretty much anything.

Except it's not just the muscles you are warming up and cooling down.

It's your mindset. Easing in. Focusing hard. Easing out.

Practice like this, and you can do wondrous things. You can even have fun while doing it. 

All without walking funny 11 years later...