For the past 2 months I haven't been practicing my usually 3-4 hours a day Its down to like 30min-1hr a day I don't know why i can't practice for long amounts of time anymore i just seem to get bored and wander off doing something else like watching T.v.

This coming week i will be taking lessons from the flute Professor of the UA...do you guys think that there will be any benefit taking lessons from a professor then just a regular teacher that plays in the local band? cause the only difference i notice so far is the price lol from $40hr to $50hr

What helps me with practising is breaking up my practise time, usually into 3-4 sessions.

I break it up into:

1. Warming up, site reading, and half my repertoire

2. Other half of my repertoire and rhythms

3. Studies

4. Scales/Arpeggios


The order changes every day. But this way, I don't get bored, I can rest my lips and drink water/have a small snack. Hope this helps!

I usually practice at least 1 new piece per day, for sight reading and it's pretty fun to play new music.

In my practicing I usually:

Play all scales and arpeggios
Do long tones
Sight read
Play repertoire
And then technique.


As Canadian said, it's always nice to change the order, although I really like to start with long tones and at least a few scales to get warmed up.

I recommend to all my students that they alter their practice each day, start with different exercises and do things differently each day, monotony is a killer...you don't eat exactly the same food each day...so don't practice the same way all the time..

also, be creative, make up new scale patterns each day..take a beautiful melody and see how many keys you can play it in..

I always practice long tones first, but I mess around with the notes, dynamics, and slurring so I don't get bored. I like to see how lound and soft I can get on a note without messing up the tone.

I've been bad on practicing this summer, and this thread motivated me to practice more again...

But, I guess it depends on the qualifications...such as my flute teacher in Europe is more of a performer than my old flute teacher, so it's more intense and I'm learning so much more.