Although there are many challenging things about learning the violin as an adult, not having a ton of time to practice is definitely high on the list. As adults, we have so many more responsibilities than children, and trust me, I know what it's like to get to the end of a long and busy day and have to practice violin. With that being said, unless you want to become a professional violinist, you do not need to practice for hours on end. 30 minutes of focused work is plenty to make the progress that you so desperately desire. In this post, I'll share an example of how to structure a 30 minute practice session for adult beginners.

Warm ups: 5 minutes

It's a good idea to start your practice session with a few of your favorite neck and arm stretches to get your body warmed up. After that, I suggest warming up the right and left hands separately, with the exercises mentioned in the video below.

After that, it's time for scales. The way you practice scales depends on your ability level. Beginners might practice one octave scales working on posture, tone, and intonation. Intermediate players might practice two octave scales working on shifting and vibrato. More advanced players might practice three octave scales focusing on speed and fluidity.

Repertoire: 20 minutes

Do not, I repeat, do not just play your piece through! Identify 3-4 spots that you want to work on, and the specific things you'd like to improve in each. It's also vital to use the correct practice technique to work on whatever you're trying to correct. If you're looking for more guidance on specific practice techniques, check out my practice technique series linked below.

Performance practice: 5 minutes

This is your opportunity to play through your piece! When doing so, it's a great idea to record yourself to get an unbiased viewpoint of how you actually sound. It's also helpful to make a few quick notes about how the practice session went. Did you accomplish your goals? What will you work on tomorrow?

You CAN make progress with just 30 minutes of practice per day.

What do you find hardest about practicing as an adult violin beginner?