It is in the practice room that any musician moves from being a novice to an expert at their instrument. The time dedicated to practice is the investment that will determine how much they get in return.

If you really want to get the desired results out of your practice time, you need to be keen about the quality of the practice. This can be determined by many things which can be broadly categorized into two – internal and external factors. In this post, we will focus on the external ones.

External factors

These are all the things that are outside of you as a person. It basically takes into consideration the physical conditions of the place where you usually practice. They contribute a lot to the quality of your practice time. Lara Levitan gives the following points as essentials to incorporate into your practice area:

Tranquility

Since you are making music, you need to ensure that your practice room has no distractions, since they will steal away your attention. Make your space a place of tranquility.

Unless you thrive under noisy conditions, audio distractions are the music student’s worst enemy. Via Piano Power

Visual Power

There is a secret about always seeing your piano as you go about your daily activities. Keep your piano at a place you interact with it a lot so that you don’t forget to practice. The saying is true that when you keep it out of sight, it will very easily slip out of your mind.

The ideal space shouldn’t be so secluded that it feels irrelevant to your day-to-day life. A piano concealed in a cryptic part of the house can be easily forgotten, perpetuating a practice drought. Via Piano Power

Solitude

As much as possible, try to have your piano practice in a place that you will be as free as possible to play it however you need to. If you try and distinguish between practice and performances, it will help you to realize that the practice times are the “quarry times” where all the digging for skills takes place.

You know how it is when you feel like someone’s listening to you practice—you become stiff and self-conscious, worried about what they’re thinking. When music teacher Dan Huber was in college, he would practice in the music building late at night when it was mostly empty to avoid being listened to. Via Piano Power

Personality Considerations

For your piano practice to be as enjoyable as possible, you will also need to involve your personality. If you are the kind of person who thrives in solitude, then go ahead and seclude yourself. On the other hand, if you are one who detests being alone, find a way of having your undistracted time while in the presence of others.

“I’m an extrovert, so to be relegated to the basement is not pleasant,” said music teacher Sandra G. Connoly. “I feel isolated and disconnected. Just around the corner of some activity is perfect. My son, who is an introvert, enjoys being in his room.” Via Piano Power

Room Features

The furnishing of a room, or lack of it, affects the quality of sound that you produce when you play the piano. Ensure that your practice space isn’t on either extreme of the furnishing scale.

High ceilings or an echoey room will drown out the finer details of your playing and possibly disrupt your focus. Conversely, a room that is all hard surfaces or soundproof will make you sound great, but may be glossing over your deficiencies and creating a ‘singing in the shower’ effect. Via Piano Power

Accessories

Ensure that you have all you need for your practice time, both those you use in the actual playing, such as the music notes, and those that are primarily for your inspiration and bliss, such as photos and wall hangings

If your practice room depresses you or evokes powerful feelings of indifference, you’re going to feel unmotivated to practice. Decorate it with pictures of inspiring musicians, artwork that evokes feelings of joy or creativity, or plants and flowers that brighten the room. Make it your favorite place to be. Via Piano Power

With all these things taken care of, you will be on the way to vibrant practice sessions, with your environment giving you the support you need.