The Practice Revolution: Getting Great Results from the Six Days Between Music Lessons.(Book Review)(Brief Article)

by Philip Johnston. PracticeSpot Press (52 Pethebridge St., Pearce ACT 2607, Australia), 2002. 324pp., $28.99.

So, why do music students need a revolution in their practicing? As I understand the question from Philip Johnston's book, it lies in what he calls the ages-old tension between teachers who want lessons thoroughly prepared and their students who tend to spend as little practice time as possible. (As prevalent as this may be, I'm certain many teachers can identify significant exceptions.) The "Revolution" proposed by Johnston is designed to diffuse that tension.

Crucial to his new plan is recognition that students need to be taught about practicing in such a way that they have a clear understanding of what is expected, as well as the tools to make their practice more efficient. The happy result, he predicts, is both teachers and students may get what they want. Johnston has assembled an attractive "cookbook" sporting a wide and varied array of ideas, techniques and games for improving teacher-student-parent communication, encouraging student initiative, and defining and solving problems. Each entry is short, generally one to three pages, much like a "recipe" for a specific, well-defined outcome, such as "Headgames" or "The post dress-rehearsal analysis." The titles are arresting, and the strategies are couched in inviting, easy-to-read ...