5 Ways To Keep Violin Practice WARM This Winter...

During the colder months, we often tend to avoid tasks we need to accomplish, driven by a natural instinct to hibernate. Practicing is likely at the top of this list—especially during the Holidays when we're tempted to indulge in various other activities. I've compiled a list of strategies that help me remain focused and committed to my practice, even when I'm least inclined to do so.

ONE: Create a Winter Practice Haven

I usually practice in the mornings or early afternoons, arranging my space to be as welcoming as possible. Maintaining a consistent practice schedule is crucial, as consistency fosters habits, and habits shape a lifestyle. My aim is to create a space that I desire to be in, while also ensuring a cozy atmosphere. I light my favorite candle, make my preferred drink (typically hot tea or hot chocolate), open the blinds or window (if it's not too cold) to let in sunlight, slide into my slippers, and wear my most comfortable sweats. I want to experience all my favorite sensations, scents, tastes, and textures while maintaining my practice schedule.

TWO: Seasonal Practice Goals

Every 3-4 months I create new goals for myself. I want to have something that I'm looking forward to completing; whether big or small. Sometimes it's a specific song, other times it's a technique I want to improve. I monitor my progress throughout the months and sometimes even bookmark specific dates to check in and record myself to view on a future date for more tangible progress tracking.

Some ideas for your winter goal chart:

• Mastering vibrato--practice each finger once a day. Focus first on the movement of the finger/hand, then gradually incorporate it into a scale.

• Working toward slurring up to 8 notes together on one bow stroke-- Begin with 2, then continue to add 1 additional note to each slur as you feel satisfied.

• Gaining confidence reading rhythms-- I love to start students off with a book called I Can Read Music. It has 50 lessons of note & rhythm reading and is great for beginners to intermediate levels.

THREE: Incorporate Festive Repertoire

My childhood consisted of countless hours dedicated to immersing myself in the enchanting world of Christmas music throughout many Decembers. Each year, as the holiday season approached, I would eagerly anticipate the opportunity to delve into a vast repertoire of festive tunes that filled the air with joy and warmth. Playing through these beloved melodies was not just a pastime; it was a fantastic way to practice my musical skills! The beauty of Christmas music lies in its accessibility; even if you don't know the specific song, many of them are wonderfully suited for sight-reading notes and rhythms. This aspect of the music allowed me to enhance my sight-reading abilities significantly, as I would often encounter different musical phrases and patterns that challenged my skills and expanded my knowledge of various key signatures. The cheerful and uplifting nature of holiday music created an atmosphere that made the act of practicing feel festive and special. As I navigated through the different styles of Christmas music—from traditional carols to contemporary holiday hits—I found myself not only honing my musical abilities but also creating lasting memories associated with the sounds of the season. The act of playing these songs became a cherished ritual, one that I looked forward to (and continue to look forward to) each year.

FOUR: Staying Motivated Through Challenges

If you live in a colder climate location, some practice hurdles can lay within our bodies. Cold hands, low energy, or difficulty concentrating are common physical and mental challenges that many individuals face during the colder months. As the days grow shorter and the temperatures decrease, the body’s natural inclination to conserve energy in response to the cold can contribute to a general sense of sluggishness; making it challenging to stay motivated and active. Additionally, the cold can significantly affect our cognitive functions, leading to difficulty concentrating. When the body is preoccupied with maintaining warmth, mental processes can slow down. This might manifest as trouble focusing on tasks, forgetfulness, or a lack of mental clarity. As a result, individuals may find it harder to engage in work, study, or even enjoy hobbies that require sustained attention. I currently live in a warm climate but growing up I lived in Wisconsin where temperatures were regularly in the negatives...Try practicing for shorter spans of time or taking frequent breaks to keep your consistency in the act of practicing while giving your body and mind a little grace. Use tools such as hand warmers to keep your muscles ready for any scale, sharp or flat! Stay hydrated with water or a warm beverage such as tea. I've even gone as far as placing a heating pad on my chair or around my back to retain body heat as much as possible.

FIVE: Don't Forget To Keep Your Violin Cozy Too!

The cold air and lack of humidity can really create major changes with your violin. You'll likely notice that it doesn't stay in-tune as precisely as it does in other months. There are a few cold-weather reminders I'd like to share:

• don't leave your violin near a drafty window.

• don't leave your violin in a sunny window.

• don't leave your violin out of the case.

• don't leave your violin next to a heater or heating device.

• if you can, purchase a humidity control tool or "dampit" to protect your instrument from dry air.

• try not to constantly take your instrument in and out of the house or in and out of warm temperatures to cold temperatures.

I hope these 5 strategies help you stay consistent with your practice this Winter and most especially, I hope they keep you WARM and cozy!

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