How to practice (without quitting)

Most students don't quit because they lack talent. They quit because they practice in a way that punishes them every time they sit down.

Start with twenty minutes. Open your case, tune, and play one phrase — slowly — until it sounds the way you want. Then stop. That's a practice session. Tomorrow, you'll want to do it again.

When you're ready for more, the structure is: five minutes of fundamentals, ten minutes of your current piece (one section, not the whole thing), and five minutes of just playing for fun. That's it.

Two hours of guilt-ridden, unfocused practice will set you back further than skipping a day entirely. Be honest with your attention. Music will repay you for it.