The Practice Revolution: Getting great results from the six days between lessons

by Philip A. Johnston

Inside the Practice What works, what doesn't, what really happens, and how to fix it. Instead of the traditional obsession with how much practice students do, The Practice Revolution looks at how students practice in the first place. With over 320 pages of what works, what doesn't and why, it's the most ambitious, comprehensive and approachable guide to practicing ever undertaken, aiming to turn professional music teachers into nothing short of practice experts...  ...so they can help their students become practice experts too.
Also by the same The Dynamic Studio ( just released ) , Practiceopedia  and Scales Bootcamp . Previews and more information at the author's website at insidemusicteaching.com .

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Education, Teaching, How To

324 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2002

Reviews

[Rebecca Clark Lightcap · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whole new take on practicing between music lessons. Philip Johnston takes the traditional time-based practice expectation and turns it upside down, calling for goal-based practice instead. He has a lot of great ideas and strategies; but for the very young very beginners that make up most of my studio—and their non-musician parents—I’m not sure that they would understand whether they’ve hit a goal or not. It’s worth a try, though. Johnston’s engaging, hilarious commentary make this a pleasure to read.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phillip Johnston is fantastic! Taking a book entirely about piano practicing, and making it interesting is no small feat. I have already applied several suggestions in my own practice as well as in my teaching. Recommended for teachers of *any* instrument, not just piano.

Sidenote: in my head, his voice sounds like John Oliver. :D

[Melissa Ashby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed the way I teach piano!

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful ideas for teaching, but lots of typos! And a little outdated

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the focus on practice itself. So many books on music devote maybe a chapter to the subject. This one uses most of the book. That said... the material could have been shared in a lot fewer words. I think this book would appeal most to fun-loving creative types. The writing style is casual and friendly. The descriptions of different flawed practice systems are helpful. In one form or another, I've heard of many of the solutions before. If you need ideas for getting students to practice better, the practice games might help depending on the student's personality. Some of the ideas for creating a pressured environment in preparation for performance seem good. What stood out to me most was the importance of goal-oriented practice versus time accrued, and giving detailed student assignments. Probably worth reading, but it will not reach my favorites list.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not a music teacher, but I thought this book might give me some ideas for my own practicing. I found some useful ideas but was generally put off by the terrible writing and the constant product plugs. Also, the fact that the author is the owner of "PracticeSpot.com" and the book was published by "Practice Spot Press" makes me seriously question the credibility of the author. That said, I was very interested in the goal oriented approach to teaching. As a young student I used to feel very lost about what exactly I was to accomplish in the week. I identified with many of the practice flaws mentioned and assume many other students probably do to. All said, I like the idea of the book, but the delivery was awful.

[Douglas Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love music but as a musician i have often struggled with a lack of good practice habits. When I did practice I could see improvement but none when I didn't.

Like most people of my generation, I was advised to practice x minutes per day, usually 1/2 to 1 hour.

But Johnston, in this book, actually suggests an entirely differnt approach to practicing. Rather than committing to x minutes per day, instead choose a manageable goal to achieve each week and then practice as much or as little as needed to accomplish that goal.

A competant music teacher can assist in selecting manageable yet challenging goals.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read about 75% of this book. This book is meant for music teachers, but as a mother of three children who need to practice each day, it was enlightening. I love this author's method and agree that children need to not only learn to practice, but to practice smarter, not longer.

Implementing one of the games was much more motivating and effective than what my kid had been doing. We still have a long ways to go. I would like to get my hands on the student/parent edition, The Practiceopedia.

[Rachel L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of helpful ideas and information here. The main premise is that switching from amount-of-time practice requirements to objective-driven requirements, combined with teaching your students how to actually practice, will give far better results. As others have mentioned, it's not the most concise book out there; it seems to be written in a more conversational style. Even so I think it would be worth having around just for reference.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're beginning your own music studio or have been teaching privately for a long time this book is a great help. It gives a lot of great ideas to motivate your students to practice well during the time in between lessons. I've already put some of the techniques to the test and they've made my student's rehearsal time more enjoyable.

[Sundy DeGooyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! great book! If your kids don't like to practice their music lessons, or you are a teacher (like me) whose students don't practice like they should, this is an INCREDIBLE book. I'm soooo glad I read it. I've already put into practice some of it's ideas and it's made a night and day difference!

[Mini Mags [Margaret] · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many great ideas on how to motivate students to practice and suggestions on practice technique, but no mention of actual musicality issues. The writing style with its slang vocabulary is horrible, i.e. the use of the word, 'tidbit'

[Ekmef · Rating 2 out of 5]

Best gaaf boek maar een beetje overrated. Het klinkt allemaal wel heel erg cool maar het probleem is dat je nog steeds een docent nodig hebt om je blind spots te identificeren. En als die niet volgens deze methodiek werkt kom je niet ver...

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it wasn't the most riveting writing in the world and it should have been about half as long, this book was SO HELPFUL for my piano teaching.

[Carrie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has given me some great tools to use with my students. I would recommend this to any private music instructor.

[Vgathright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have incorporated lots if ideas from this book in my teaching. I don't agree with everything, but lots of good for thought and ideas that can be adapted.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of helpful hints for teaching students how to practice.

[Seth Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to form good practicing habits that will help you improve your craft quicker.