The Practice of Practice: Get Better Faster

By: Jonathan Harnum

Narrated by: Jonathan Harnum

Talent means nothing when it comes to getting better. Practice is everything. But exactly what is good practice? How does good practice create talent?

The focus of this book is music practice, but these techniques and mindsets can be applied to any skill you want to improve. The Practice of Practice covers essential practice strategies and mindsets you won't find in any other book. You'll learn what research tells us about practice, but more importantly, you'll learn how great musicians in many genres of music think about practice, and you'll learn the strategies and techniques they use to improve.

This book will help you get better faster, whether you play rock, Bach, or any other kind of music. It will also help you be a more informed teacher or a more effective parent of a young learner. Don't practice longer, practice smarter.

©2014 Jonathan D. Harnum (P)2015 Sol Ut Press

Unlearning what I have learned...

This book helped me dispel myths about the usual practice sessions musicians have and gave me new insight on the different ways and different techniques we musicians can apply when heading into a practice session

I would definitely recommend this book to a fellow friend/musician!

The key to your personal musical development

This book is a refreshing take on practice and it reveals practice is what you want and need it to be. Throw away all the preconceived ideas of talent and create the environment that fosters the growth you want.

practical

a very practical and inspiring listen. as a musician i appreciate it and it also has quotes and knowlede that is applicable outside of music as well.

Content v Reading

This book is thought provoking & helpful. The author as a reader sounds earnest and kind. Usually I prefer authors to read. In this case, though, because of the reading mannerisms, I had to rewind often to re-listen. Some ends of words or phrases fall off either in articulation or volume. No worries, though. An amply rewarding listen.

Mostly a good book with some issues

Overall a very good book. I actually learned a lot, but I had issues with the book talking about the importance of being around the right peers and the right teachers as if it's the only way to learn to play music.

I don't disagree with the notion that good teachers/peers will definitely help enhance learning, but the book ignores people's situations where they might not have access to any of those things. It would've been nice if the book provided alternative solutions for that too.

But there's more than enough helpful content to figure out how to teach yourself until you can afford a teacher.

Practice Practice practice

This is we worth your time if you want to get better with your instrument.

So many good ideas here!

Any additional comments?

Interesting explanation of the way the brain learns, and one fascinating topic is the value of learning a new instrument to enhance your skills on another instrument. As a beginner, trying to learn an instrument as an adult, I need all the help I can get! I think it would be helpful to take notes while listening, or purchase a copy of the book, so that the practice tips are easy to refer back to.

Great

Thanks Jon. I bought this after your music theory book. It's a great light hearted book on an often all too serious topic. Your humor makes me smile. Thanks for all the ideas to get better. I was surprised I was already practicing in total privacy. I specifically chose trucking as a way of life so I could get away from everyone and make music in peace, as well as explore my own voice and practice my vocal abilities. I'm on the right track for sure.

Loved this hood

This book is full of meaty information. I’ll have to listen again. The content is practical, the voice is easy to listen to and he clearly is living it.

very good book

loved it. I learned more than I expected, both about music and how the mind works. this was very well narrarated as well