Pamela Frank | VC Masterclass | How Many Hours Should One Practice Every Day?

Violinist and respected pedagogue Pamela Frank, from the Curtis Institute of Music, in Philadelphia, addresses the age old question 'How Many Hours Should I Practice Everyday?'

[syerotismail]

I love this "practice less, think more " thank u, its really motivate me.

[Hexspa]

Really good. Recently, I cut my practice time. Not only that, reordered and re-prioritized it also. Now I spend 1hr on songwriting (30 min analysis, 30 min writing), 30 min on business and then alternate days for singing, piano, synthesis & visual arts. Before, I was doing 20 minute intervals but now they're 15 min. I allow myself to go over or under a few minutes also - usually over. Either way, I get my stuff done, always work on my top priority, and have time for leaving comments on YouTube. Most importantly, I avoid burnout; having a finish line is very important.

[stephengreico]

Such applicable wisdom
Thank you...I will definitely return to this video

[jkhorn]

Bravo for saying what I've been telling my students.

[professortrumpet]

This is a concentrated assessment of what we should all do! YES!

[espaguesa]

Totally agree Pam!  We do have lives outside of our art.  

[ed]

i practice 1 hour a day. with complete focus then another 2 hours with the TV and computer on.

[lindsaygroves]

So, how are you supposed to accumulate the stamina to withstand a day when you will do any (or several) of the following: chamber music, a solo recital, a concerto with orchestra, or an orchestra rehearsal? If your muscles and tendons aren't completely warmed up before a 2 hour rehearsal or performance, you could hurt yourself, a lot. A typical orchestra workday contains at least 4 1/2 or 5 hours of playing time; six in some (New Zealand, including teatime). Once, including overtime, I rehearsed for 10 hours (Kennedy Center) in one day. Nobody minded; they cheered. It's a good idea to review some passages in advance of many such days. Would you not at least practice some things the morning of a solo recital? We are athletes of a certain kind, and these are very demanding situations. Don't you ever wake up in the morning and find that the notes are not exactly where you left them last night? That your vibrato is…wobbly, tight, or yucky? Maybe this isn't "practice"? What is it then, flossing? (joke) 

[guitarnutz]

You are so right, it took me years to figure this out, Could have spent millions on lessons...Quality for sharing

[PrinceWesterburg]

In business, "The person that works hard, works dumb!" Its better to make a game of finger exercises and then throw your emotions into actual playing, the two are completely separate. Good technique makes lyrical playing effortless and sustains your playing over decades. Worked for me on violin and to this day, 38 years later, on electric guitar! :o)

[remusazoitei]

I don't think it is entirely like that. Of course you need to practice concentrated producing the "quality" practice she is talking about, but you also need to improve the finger memory, and that is based on repetition - THAT takes a lot of time. I am sure in her youth she killed the violin quite a few hours a day. I am now 42 and I practice very little and efficient, however, today I am a mature player and I can not compare myself with the young version of me, when I needed loads of hours a day to pursue the instrument. Without those hours then I could not affourd only 1-2 hours a day now. Pure and simple.

[zyrak]

If you truly do something you love, and you truly are engaged in it, it’s no question you can stay max focused for more than two hours. Just look at the greatest people in any profession... Some people work 14 hours a day and therefore are the greatest in the world in their specific areas. They wouldn’t have come that far if they hadn’t put down the hours.

Not that it isn’t of importance to stay focused while practicing, but it simply isn’t true that two hours a day is enough.

[shakaama]

great advice.was looking for piano, but this applies to piano too

[edflaspoehler]

10 minutes 6 times a day is better than 60 minutes once a day.

[biharibeachtv]

She's wearing a green lantern ring

[crowns]

If you have talent do two hours. If you are a little stupid try three hours. If you need more try another profession.
Leopold von Auer(1845---1930)

[leonardoiglesias]

One hour a day guarantees you are going to be an amateur

[jeanparke]

Lol. A person who had to stop performing on stage due to a horribly wrong way of practice which ruined her left hand giving an advice? Ridiculous. Is there any famous student from her studio?