Hi everyone,
I'm going to take my Gd. 8 exam this May, there is many pieces and scales to be prepared and I know that requires much effort. But I just can't stand practicing for long hours or my neck will ache. Is it natural to feel uncomfortable after one or two hours of practice? how long do you think a violin student should practice everyday?

I don't feel uncomfortable after practising for one or two hours- maybe you need to change your shoulder rest/chin rest or something? I'm working for my grade 8 and I tend to practise between 1-1.5 hours per day at the moment. Even if I don't have time for that I try to get in as much as time allows what with school and other commitments.

May be worth trying to split your practice up more... do several sessions of 20 or 30 minutes instead of trying to play for 2 hours at once.

I'm not a violinist so this is insturment-independent advice, but make sure that when you do practise you make good use of your time, not just playing through etc. but working on the bits that need doing, that way you can do more practice in less time with less pain .

I agree with Sarah-flute on this one. When I practice the violin I tend to do about 15-20 minutes and then have a break and do something else. My arm usually aches a bit after playing at the moment because I am a beginner and new to holding a violin. I come back later when I feel ready and do another 15-20 minutes. Sometimes, by the end of the day, I can have done 2-3 hours practice without even realising it.

Gae

QUOTE (Eliza @ Jan 30 2005, 04:47 PM)

But I just can't stand practicing for long hours or my neck will ache.  :( Is it natural to feel uncomfortable after one or two hours of practice?

Well, I am too working for my grade 8, just started off with the scales. But I don't think it is uncomfortable to practice one or two hours straight, so far I practice between 1 hr to 1 hr 30 mins, but I haven't started off with my pieces yet.

If you think it is uncomfortable after practising for long hours, has it to do with your posture?

I ever join a university orchestra, where we had practice from morning till night (just break for tea,lunch, tea and dinner)for a whole week. Each practice session is abt 2hrs to 4hrs. Many of my friends (String players) complained of aches all over the body! But to me it was still ok...no pain...maybe because of my 'stamina' when practising for my grade 7:D

I personally prefer that way since I've warmed up my fingers and is easier to start practising pieces and it is hard to find 20mins or 30 mins out separately from my daily activities

But it all depends on individuals, it is very hard to concentrate for long hours' practise though.

likeviolin

I'd say just do as much as you need to do. Don't over practice things or otherwise they'll go stale, but make sure you practice the things that really do need practicing.

Ya, actually I can practice for 2 hours without feeling very tired if I practice some songs in moderate speed or scales. I usually will feel tired after an hour of practising pieces from Bela Bartok's works or others which have many double stops. However, thanks for Sarah-flute's suggestion as your idea help much. May be I really need a few minutes of break after a session of practice.

yeah sometimes even 5 or 10 minutes doing something completely different, relaxing, having a drink, can work wonders.

Sarah-flute, you are right! I actually did that after every half an hour when practising! Just a little break, but it helps

Cool I think as well as allowing your a chance to physically rest for a short while, it also helps your brain to chill for a bit!

I do have to rest every now and again when practising, because I don't swallow when I'm playing so my throat gets really dry! I need to go and drink some water in between playing.

sounds like you need a little bottle of water nearby when you practice!

That also happens to me. My throat often get dry after playing. Sometimes I'll only realize it after putting my violin down. HeHe...I wonder why I can't swallow when holding the violin?? May be I put it too near to my neck??

QUOTE (Eliza @ Feb 16 2005, 01:10 AM)

That also happens to me. My throat often get dry after playing. Sometimes I'll only realize it after putting my violin down. HeHe...I wonder why I can't swallow when holding the violin?? May be I put it too near to my neck??

Me too.............Hmmmm..........

QUOTE (sarah-flute @ Feb 2 2005, 11:46 AM)

yeah sometimes even 5 or 10 minutes doing something completely different, relaxing, having a drink, can work wonders.

Hmmmm... yes I find a nice glass of red wine does wonders for my vibrato........however intonation goes out the window

Jane

I used to practice solidly for an hour, but found the last 15 minutes would be a real struggle. So, I break my practice into 1/2 segments and I accomplish much more in a day.

Yes, I find little and often is best. Though sometimes it's nice to have a good long practice too.

It depends how you're feeling really, and how the practice session is going.

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Feb 18 2005, 03:16 PM)

It depends how you're feeling really, and how the practice session is going.

Good point.

I think I tried so hard and for so long yesterday that in the end it was counter-productive. David suggested giving it a rest then trying again much later, and he was right.

Yes, some good advice from David. Yesterday on my 3rd 1/2 hour practice, I had such a beautiful tone, but this morning it was all horrible. Hmm. It better be beautiful for my exam!!

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Feb 18 2005, 11:22 PM)

Hmm. It better be beautiful for my exam!!

Of course it will............

QUOTE (Amber @ Feb 18 2005, 03:18 PM)

QUOTE (nicki_flute @ Feb 18 2005, 03:16 PM) It depends how you're feeling really, and how the practice session is going. Good point. I think I tried so hard and for so long yesterday that in the end it was counter-productive. David suggested giving it a rest then trying again much later, and he was right.

*nods* that's part of the problem, isn't it? you can't say "I will practice at such-and-such a time for this long" and be absolutely certain of sticking to it - some days it might go fabulously and you sing or play for much longer, other times everything is counter-productive and it's better to stop than to go on and continue the same bad practice session.

QUOTE (sarah-flute @ Feb 19 2005, 07:12 PM)

*nods* that's part of the problem, isn't it? you can't say "I will practice at such-and-such a time for this long" and be absolutely certain of sticking to it - some days it might go fabulously and you sing or play for much longer, other times everything is counter-productive and it's better to stop than to go on and continue the same bad practice session.

I agree with you Sarah . I think my practice yeterday is counter-productive .