practicing smart, not just hard (with will james)

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sometimes you don't have much time to prepare for auditions, and you need to focus on practicing smart, not just hard. will james, principal of the st louis symphony, shares his tips on how to practice smart.
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ABOUT ME
i'm a percussionist in the metropolitan opera orchestra in new york city, and i create videos and blogs to help you stop sucking at drums and master your craft. there's so much more at www.robknopper.com.
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CREDITS
shot and produced by rob knopper
edited by adam tan

[@robknopperstudio]

do you feel like you waste time in the practice room? what are some ways you could practice smarter?

[@torilupinekyaussy6511]

I just love how chill the guy with the scarf and glasses is in the background lol

[@robknopperstudio]

hahaha i didn't even notice him but, yes, super chill

[@darrylbrooks3361]

"I'm a big fan of attacking my weaknesses."
I literally just set a piece aside and moved on to something else because of one passage. Now I have to go get it back out again. Thanks for this.

[@rorybray7487]

I'm just a 51 year old guy playing drums and percussion in a community band. Not a pro at all, but I enjoy the videos. Thanks for all the ideas

[@robknopperstudio]

thanks for watching!

[@robertlenau2749]

I find that after any audition, when I should be studying and trying to perfect my technical ability intensively (instead of working on excerpts), I slip into the depths of mindless noodling/practicing. But when I have something to actually prepare for, my practice sessions become way more productive.

[@robknopperstudio]

good point! necessity is the mother of invention. that always feels stressful at the time but you can learn a ton while under the pressure of time.

[@WJPercussion]

Definitely better to have goals and be productive in the practice room! If I find myself wandering I write down specific goals so I know I am accomplishing something very concrete.

[@MortonLuvz2drum]

Long term goals and short term goals. Knowing where and when you will be playing next plays a big part. Thanks

[@MadDrumDisease]

While working on recital rep, I change a double lateral section into double verticals. This does a couple things. It slows down the rhythm which allows me to see the playing spots better, allows me to focus more on phrasing, allows me to hear the harmony easier, allows me to feel the intervals. After sending time doing this the double lateral come very easily. I also meter grace notes at different tempi.
Moral of the story, change the music to make it easier, focus on specific things, or learn the notes.
I'm working on Druckman's Reflections on the Nature of Water.

[@robknopperstudio]

interesting! yeah totally - isolate the problems so that you're not working on two things but can focus fully on one thing. perfect example. have fun with reflections... a great piece

[@williamcopperge7909]

Pearl snare

[@zachandrory123]

Will either of you be at the Northwestern Percussion Symposium this year?

[@robknopperstudio]

i'm not sure about will, but i will not be at that.

[@fuzzylightning]

Awesome!!

[@robknopperstudio]

thanks for watching!

[@progressiveRAMONETTI]

Thankss