Originally published in The Clarinet 53/2 (March 2026).
Copies of The Clarinet are available for ICA members.
MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY MINUTE:
Developing Consistency and Focus for Musical Growth
Deliberate, intentional practice procedures enable meaningful musical growth.
by Jennifer Iles
A structured and well-planned practice routine is essential for maintaining consistency and progress, especially when time is limited. For many musicians, practice often takes place in short sessions of five, ten, or fifteen minutes, making organization, goal setting, and focus crucial. Because many students face similar challenges in establishing balanced, consistent practice habits, the following strategies and tools can help maximize the effectiveness of each practice session.
PLANNING
Setting yearlong and semester goals within a structured curriculum that defines clear expectations for foundational materials—such as long tones, scales, études, excerpts, and solo repertoire—promotes steady and focused progress. Furthermore, outlining long-term goals, performance dates, and grading criteria at the beginning of each semester provides students with tangible benchmarks to work toward. These broader goals are then broken down into specific, achievable objectives during weekly lessons. Establishing clear long-term goals fosters motivation, direction, and consistency throughout the year.
SUPPORTING MUSICAL GROWTH AND SETTING GOALS
Regular communication about the weekly practice routine is essential for meeting long- and short-term goals. A structured practice planner, with sections for long tones and scales, études, repertoire, miscellaneous work, and a practice log, supports a well-rounded routine and clearly defined weekly objectives. The practice log is especially important to track both the content and duration of practice sessions and provides valuable insight to identify strategies for consistent musical growth. Logging practice sessions is a concrete way of keeping track of what has been practiced and what still needs to be addressed.
IDENTIFYING WHAT TO PRACTICE
Determining what needs the most attention involves playing through an étude or piece and identifying passages that present the greatest challenges. Ranking these sections is based on the level of focus required to achieve long-term goals and short-term objectives. When there are several difficult passages, rotating the passages daily ensures balanced progress.
PRACTICE OBJECTIVES AND SCHEDULING
Short, consistent practice sessions throughout the day foster steady progress and reduce procrastination. While it is ideal to have several hours dedicated to practicing throughout the day, and students at the collegiate level certainly have enough repertoire to fill that time, it is not always easy to find large chunks of time for long practice sessions, and it is not always beneficial. Ten minutes of focused practice on a specific musical objective can be more effective than an hour of playing with no specific goal, if there is consistency. It is especially important to schedule practice sessions into a daily routine. For consistency, one strategy is to aim for three sessions daily; each focused on a different area:
Morning: Long Tones and Scales
Afternoon: Études and Excerpts
Evening: Solo Repertoire
These sessions do not need to be long but instead need to have a clear goal or objective, outlined in the planner. Weekly goals can be broken into smaller daily objectives that can be achieved in a short amount of time. For this to work well, it is important to include all practice sessions in the daily schedule, so that every area of practice is incorporated daily for consistency.
EFFICIENT PRACTICE WITH MINIMAL TIME
Once weekly goals are set and a practice schedule is in place, it is important to get the most out of short practice sessions, sometimes lasting only 10 to 15 minutes. Specific, achievable daily objectives are a must. For example, if the morning session is dedicated to long tones and scales, and the weekly objective in the planner is to play six scales from memory and three Baermann studies at 90 beats per minute, then students can break the weekly objective up into smaller daily objectives within the 15-minute time frame. Students might spend two minutes on long tones, checking embouchure, air, and listening for a quality tone, then three minutes on memorized scales focusing on the most challenging octaves while playing slowly with the metronome, and 10 minutes on one Baermann study, practicing small chunks slowly with the metronome and then piecing them together. The next day’s practice session may expand the objectives from the day before, or may rotate to another long-tone goal, scale, or scale study. This is adjusted based on individual needs and goals.
All students learn differently, needing different ways to address practicing, and a rigid practice routine does not fit every person. The “Practice Choice Board” is a flexible tool that allows students to choose what to practice based on available time. They rotate selections daily, ensuring variety and coverage. With the choice board, it does not matter when they practice, or that they stick to the same routine each day. Instead, they choose two different items to practice from each time category daily. They do not necessarily need to practice both items in the same sitting. Goals and time frames are adjustable to fit individual needs.
CLARINET PRACTICE CHOICE BOARD
Choose two different items from each time category (i.e., each column) daily.
| 3 – 5 MINUTES | 10 – 15 MINUTES | 15 – 25 MINUTES |
| Play all major scales—Start on low E and ascend chromatically | Play one or two Baermann exercises or another scale study | Practice an étude in small chunks starting from the end; if time allows, play the entire étude |
| Play all minor scales—Start on low E and ascend chromatically; choose a different form each day | Practice two or three challenging lines of an étude or excerpt you are preparing | Practice two sections of an étude and work to play both sections together accurately; if time allows, play the entire étude |
| Long tones—Create an even, controlled sound at all dynamic levels; AIR | Practice five to ten bars of a challenging section from your solo | Practice a section of an excerpt—choose a different section each time; if time allows, play two or more sections together |
| Register slurs—Create an even, controlled sound at all dynamic levels; AIR | Choose one orchestral excerpt and focus on improving one or two elements | Practice sections of your solo, then put sections together; choose a different section each time. |
Tips for Success:
1. Always use a metronome
2. Practice slowly first
3. Practice in small chunks
4. Aim for consistency (three or more repetitions)
5. Listen for quality sound in all registers (AIR)
6. Check fundamentals: Hand Position, Embouchure, Air, Tongue
CONCLUSION
Developing consistent and focused practice habits is essential for musical growth, especially when time is limited. By setting clear goals, using structured tools like practice planners and choice boards, and embracing short, intentional practice sessions, students can make meaningful progress even in brief windows of time. Flexibility within structure allows for personalization, ensuring that each student can find a routine that works for their unique needs and schedule. Ultimately, the key to success lies in thoughtful planning, regular reflection, and a commitment to steady, purposeful practice—making the most of every minute.
Dr. Jennifer Iles is Assistant Professor of Clarinet and Music Education at Lamar University, where she teaches clarinet, woodwind methods, music education courses, and has served as the field supervisor for student teachers. She is a core member of the Symphony of Southeast Texas and regularly appears with regional orchestras. Her research centers on bass clarinet pedagogy and effective teaching methods for music educators.
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