As both a violinist and violin teacher, I have noticed that many of us inherit certain ideas about practising that we accept without questioning them.
For me, one of the biggest myths was that practising longer automatically means practising better. Some of my most productive sessions have actually been shorter, but much more focused and intentional.
Another common one is that mistakes should simply be repeated until they disappear. Over the years, I have found that repeating mistakes often consolidates them, while identifying the cause and focusing on careful problem-solving is usually far more effective than sheer repetition.
I have also found that, with experience, paying attention to your body's signals can help enormously. It gradually becomes a kind of 'inner compass' that reveals whether an approach feels natural and efficient or whether an underlying issue still needs attention.
What is one practice belief or piece of advice that you once accepted as true, but later discovered was not helping your progress?
Whether you are a beginner, an adult learner, an advanced student, or a fellow teacher, I would love to hear your experience.
I look forward to reading your thoughts and learning from your perspectives.
