This is a simple follow up on my previous article. I had demonstrated how to approach each section of the practice plan, but I thought some further clarification is necessary on how to develop the plans for upcoming sessions. I have also made a print-out copy of the practice plan ready to fill in for your next practice session(s) which you can download here or use as a reference to make your own by hand.
Each category in the main practice plan is divided into sub-categories listed numerically, alphabetically, and in roman numerals.
For example, the section on arpeggio exercises is 4-D-II. 4 is Technique/theory, D is the sub-category of technical exercises, and II is the sub-sub-category of arpeggios.
So, to develop your upcoming plans. It helps to maintain this convention. So here is an example of the plan I have written for today's upcoming practice session:
1. Repertoire:
A) Classical - Prelude in C Major, Solfeggietto in C minor.
2. Composition:
A) Melody - Write a melody in D Major.
B) Harmony - Write harmonies according to a 2-5-1 progression.
C) Rhythm - Practice writing with tied and dotted notes.
3. Aural:
A) Chord progressions - Egao by Ikimonogakari, and Girlfriend by The Pillows.
B) Melodies - Same as A.
C) Riffs/phrases - The interlude riff from Vortex by Megadeth.
D) Transcription - The intro melody to Rainmaker by Iron Maiden.
4. Technique and theory:
A) Transposition and modulation - Solfeggietto in C minor, transposed to F minor.
B) Harmonic analysis - Write the chord degrees of The Other Half by Within Temptation.
C) Etudes - Czerny's School of Velocity exercise 1.
D) Technical exercises
i. Scales - Write an exercise in D harmonic minor
ii. Arpeggios - Write an arpeggio exercise using a DminMaj7 arpeggio.
E) Sight-Reading - Pieces from Mikrokosmos by Bela Bartok.
F) Metronome:
i. Tempo - 75 BPM.
ii. Time signature - 5/4.
iii. Subdivision - Quavers.
5. Mental exercises:
A) Visualisation.
i. Instrument - Visualise the music in my mind on piano and guitar.
ii. Notation - Visualise the music in my mind being transcribed, extra emphasis on tied and dotted notes.
iii. Performance - Visualise myself busking.
iv. Career - Visualise myself teaching one-on-one lessons.
B) Hearing music in your mind - Allow any music to come to mind. Visualise it on piano, guitar, and being transcribed to notation.
C) Positive affirmation - Remind yourself: "I love transcription, it is fun and easy", "Practice makes everything fun and easy".
D) Journaling:
i. Reflection - Write whatever is necessary post-practice.
ii. Goals - Write thoughts on achieving fluency in reading, writing, and transcribing in musical notation.
E) Imaginary practice - Imagine, visualise, and hear myself fluently reading, writing, and transcribing music.