I Followed Christian Lindberg's Simple Practice Routine: Here's What Happened

Anyone who is a musician understands the pain and frustration of practicing endlessly with seemingly no results. There's a very difficult hump to get over when learning how to practice, and it can been extremely discouraging to sit down day after day with no improvement in your playing. Christian Lindberg, conductor, composer, and trombone soloist, uploaded a video to YouTube about his daily schedule.

When it came time for his practice routine, he said that he practices in chunks for 24 minutes at a time, with a 6 minute break; he does this because he said that science has found that the peak focus occurs within that 24 minute span, and forcing yourself to go beyond that 24 minutes will cause focus to be lost.

In addition to only practicing in 24 minute chunks, he uses a metronome, like most great musicians, and ensures that he properly warms up, plays scales, etc.

About a month ago, I began following his practice schedule in an attempt to see if my personal musicianship go any better. I kept a record in my practice log detailing when I practiced, what I practiced, and how many minutes total I practiced that day. Currently, I am learning the altissimo register of saxophone, which is the extended upper range of the instrument based in the overtone series. Anyone who plays saxophone knows that this feat is not easy, since every fingering is different for every instrument, and learning to play overtones on a woodwind is not a simple task.

Through my 24 minute chunks daily, I found that musicianship has improved massively over the past month. At the middle of March, I could barely play my altissimo register with accountable accuracy. Now, in the middle of April, I can reliably play up to an altissimo E 8/10 times! I attribute this to the focus that Lindberg's practice schedule demands.

My brain thinks it's a game. How much can I get done in 24 minutes before having to take a break? I have found that using this system, my focus is deeper, and my piece for my jury is progressing faster than I ever have in the past! This part of my practicing I will keep, since my focus has been so clear during these times! The practice log has been working as well, because it holds me accountable for the real amount of practice I have been doing, in addition to providing a place for me to jot down and problem areas that really need work.

In the end, I would recommend Lindberg's practice routine for anyone seeking to become a better musician!

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