There's only so many things you can actually be doing wrong and, unless you are practicing 7 hours a day, ANY amount of conscious practice is a good thing.
Oh wait, conscious practice, you say?
Similar to how slovenly leaning over the Stairmaster handles while reading a book and simultaneously watching the damn Kardashians is not really a workout, mindlessly running through the paces of your hobby's necessary techniques is not really practice.
Take, for instance, ballroom dancing. I know, it's a stretch.
You can "practice" your whole routine for hours and not know anything more than when you started. Or you can take 2 measures of that routine, methodically figure out your timing OR alignments OR sway [OR hip motion], and then dance it slowly a few times over 10 minutes.
10 minutes, yo.
But, like, every day.
Granted, if you have more time than that, and an attention span longer than an average TMZ fan, GREAT. Please continue your practice for 11, 12, or even 13 minutes.
It's the every day business that's the business.
Take, for example, my kid (which IS a stretch, but stay with me)...
My oldest takes violin lessons from a ridiculously under-priced, overly-talented, amazing music teacher. The first few weeks, I didn't think to make V practice much. We even "crammed" a couple times.
I'd notice at the lessons after those practice-free weeks, her teacher would be more or less repeating the previous lessons, albeit with slightly different exercises and whatnot.
DUH.
It's exactly what I do when my students haven't practiced (whether they admit it or not... we always know). Repeat and repeat and repeat again until it's known.
Good teachers won't let you progress just for progress's sake. There has to be mastery and awesomeness.
But then I carved out a few minutes every morning to lead her practice. It's 10 minutes at least, more if The G gets involved (because MUSIC!).
And dude, the difference? Astonishing! She's moving right along through her song books and can even pick out a song or two on her own.
So go practice your damn twinkles and fan positions and impetuses (impeti?) and open breaks during the commercials of your favorite shows, or while you wait for the bus (it's not that weird), or while you're waiting for your coffeemaker to put out.
Your teacher and your skill level will thank you.
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