How To Practice Like A Pro | LAJ #23 

ThatViolaKid love it

Love this one!

i'm here for it

im not going to answer your question. Instead im going to ask if you were going for a "Casey Neistatesque" look in this video... haha

ThatViolaKid Thanks Drew, inspiring video. I wanna add that recording thing to my practicing. I have already used that kind of diary. And I also set up a certain time for practice, if possible even the same time every day. Would you like to make a video about how you practice in detail? Do you do any sports to be physically fit and strong? I would like to exercise more in the gym for my upper body. But by lifting these heavy weights my hands always get so hard and unflexible. It's like I wanna do something for my body but at the same time I definitely don't wanna lose quality in playing the cello. Maybe you don't have to make longer videos. When a topic like practicing has many different aspects, you could do a series of videos, like for example David Finckel's cello talks. I'm however well aware of the fact, that there are about 40 years between you and David Finckel. It' s a totally different style. Have you got any advise from your own experience bringing body workout and string playing together? How is the octett doing? Take care.

I already know about it ;)

ThatViolaKid 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AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH Daz nice papi good job

Thanks for being patient with me! This vlogging thing is toughhh

Haha thanks =)

I'm glad you enjoyed the edits! I spent a bit more time on this video =)

My pleasure, Kathy! Glad you enjoyed it!

Awwww I'm so happy that I was able to help!!! More on the way!!!

Will do, Paige! Glad you enjoyed the video!

Thank you!!! It was at like 33% tempo hehe

So glad you liked it!!!

Thanks for sharing, I now started using a practicing journal! 😊I just tried out uploading my first video interpreting one of Bach's Prelude, I would really appreciate it if y'all would check it out🙈

So happy to hear that!

A picture every day??? Wouldn't that get...boring? =P

I personally think it'd be interesting to see your daily progress but I'm a nerd lol😂👍

I'm so happy I could make your day! Honored!!!

I'm happy to make you happy! =)

Glad to hear it! =)

So happy you enjoyed it!

It'll change your life

Thank you so much!!!

I'm humbled to hear that! i'm glad you enjoy them!!!

The quartet itself is a bit annoying! But that Nocturne is dankkkk

Thank you!

Thank you!

Happy Practicing! ^_^

So happy to hear that, Daniela! =)

Boxes are awesome!!

Do ittt

We're twins!

My pleasure homie!!!

My pleasure homie!

It just takes practice haha

You're welcome!

Hmmmmm, I'll have to think about how to structure that! But that definitely sounds interesting =) Practice sessions are always unique, so I couldn't in good conscience say that if you do THIS every time, you'll be amazing. Different stages of learn require different mechanics--and even then, everyone is good at bad at different things! That's why private teachers are so essential. For an intermediate player like yourself, I would suggest that you cultivate your ear by listening to great players and start recording yourself. Figure out out how they create their sound and experiment with different vibratos, bow speeds, arm weights, bow contacts, and bow distributions. It helps if you approach things scientifically =)

Thanks Drew, this is really helpful. I have a great teacher, but I find your suggestions spot on. Exploring the mystery of sound creation, ear training etc. more thoughtfully / scientifically. Yes. And I´ve never recorded myself. I´ll try that and hope I don´t give up playing after that :-)! Thanks a bunch and keep up the good work!

Just know that you're always improving. Recording only makes that improvement happen faster!

Hopefully you're right =)))

Lololol I know that feel

Nice

Amos =)

Boom!

I hope you do too man!

THANKS!!!

Thank you!

Awww thank you!

I use a Zoom H4N. And in terms of the neighbors--they don't seem to mind. I typically only practice during the day and never after 11PM, so it's pretty chill.

I really want to!

Definitely

Yo =)

I'm gonna start learning the guitar

If you want a new instrument, start going to different shops and trying some out. Don't settle! Be explorative and look for a instrument that feels and sounds right! Don't worry about the other violists. Don't let them bring you down. I dealt with that in school orchestra too. All you have to do is just focus on being better player yourself and people will either be inspired by that, or they'll just fizzle away and you won't have to deal with them anymore =3

My pleasure!

Just scrolling through the comments and saw this - I've just gotten past this problem very recently and what I personally did was practice vibrato for an excessive amount of time. And for me it wasn't necessarily doing it as fast as i could, but rather doing it slow for long amounts of time until when I DID try it fast, it came a lot more natural and easier. That's just what worked for me, not sure if this is a universal solution but just saw this comment unanswered here and wanted to see if I could help. :P

Omg thank you this helped so much! Now I'm not yelled at lol

Evah Pirazzis

I heard those can take awhile to reach their full sound potential though, and then don't keep it that long. Have you noticed that at all, or has anyone you know?

I thank you for all of your support! You're awesome!!!

I don't play cello but my friends do, but here are some tips -practice -listen or watch other people play cello -take classes -pay attention to your teacher ( if you have one ) -try to have fun

Glad you think so! =)

It's the best beanie I've ever owned. Totally worth it

I can't really tell you without actually hearing you play haha. And, I wouldn't discourage you from at least auditioning. However, I wanna make sure that you understand that Juilliard is just a school homie. Don't sweat it if you don't make it in! =)

I set a timer and get back to work on my instrument. It also helps if I don't go to far away from it physically too

It depends. Why do you need to retain your old repertoire? I think simply playing through it slowly keeps it in the fingers :)

Why would you wanna go to a music college without knowing a teacher? That's who you are gonna be with everyday depending on yoru course load?

The only way you get better a sight reading is by doing it! =)

Justin K u play two instruments?

Brandon Simmons your right about the piano but that also goes with most precussion insts. too. i play viola, precussion (marimba, piano, snare, timbale ect.), and clarinet 😃

I play more than two but I focus on trumpet (with flugelhorn) and violin

I have done violin for 11 years and trumpet for 6 but Im a freshman in high school

You don't haha. If you wanna really be good at one, you have to go all in on it!

=) It varies. Sometimes I practice 4 hours. Sometimes I practice 0 hours