Find more Quick Tips and lessons by Vi Wickam and other teachers at https://www.myTalentForge.com.
[The song played at the beginning of this Quick Tip is called Forked Deer. You can hear it on my album, Long Time Comin’.]
Hi everybody! Happy day to you! I’m Vi Wickam and this is your Quick Tip of the Week.
This tip is a challenge. So the challenge is have your instrument out every day…
But we’re going to make it a little more quantified. So we’ll give you a little slack…
But what I want you to do is 5 minutes on your instrument, 5 days a week, for 5 weeks. So it’s the 5, 5, 5 challenge.
Give me 5 minutes a day on your instrument, 5 days a week, for 5 weeks. And then check in with me!
But if you take this challenge- I want you to check in with me. Leave a comment below at the end of the 5 weeks and let me know how you did. Give me a status report.
Because I think it’s going to make a difference.
Some days you’ll just get 5 minutes, but some days you’ll sit down and you’ll start playing and 10 minutes will go by, and 15 minutes will go by, and at 45 minutes- you’ll be like “wow! That was a really good practice session!”
And you’ll look at your watch and be like, “Wow! It’s been 45 minutes! That’s awesome!”
And other days you’ll just get your 5 minutes.
But that’s your challenge- 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 5 weeks. Let me know how you did!
Have a great week!… or a great 5 weeks! And I’ll see you next time.
Howdy,
I’d like to take the challenge, but I go backpacking from time to time, so five weeks in a row isn’t feasible for me. But I like the concept. My violin teacher, from whom I took lessons as a know kid, said the same thing about regular practice. So I try to work in at least 5 to 10 minutes every day, when it’s practical.
Thanks for all the wonderful help and tunes you give us fiddle players !!
– Robert Norris
Austin
I understand, Robert. Challenges aren’t know for their practicality. 😉
Thanks,
Vi
I’m in!
That is fantastic, Joyce!
Dear Mr Wickam,
I would take the challenge. The goal for my challenge is octave and scaring 10th degree double stops. I will keep a practice diary.
59 years old, Osaka, Japan
I am very happy for you, Mr. Seiji!
I started the 5-5-5 on Nov. 2. I knew what to expect because I used the same approach in weeding the very large garden we had many years ago. I committed to 10 minutes of weeding a day because I figured I could always manage to do just 10 minutes. As you say, the 10 minutes, or in this case 5, usually turns into more. It has turned out that way here. Regardless of how off I feel or how few minutes I think I have, I usually get at least the 5 minutes. I did miss Thanksgiving Day. 😉 The interesting thing is how much difference it makes not to ask myself if I want to play, but to tell myself it’s time to play. I find myself thinking “I better get my five minutes in.” I have done much more these last couple weeks because playing is not a question, but a given. As time goes on, I think the 5-5-5 will become ever more important and crucial to my playing. Thanks, Vi.
Hi Sally, Thanks so much for sharing your story. I think you hit the nail on the head. When you decide that you are going to practice rather than asking if you feel like it, practice happens! I’m so glad that this challenge has helped you!
Vi