What Should You Actually Practice?

Does inspiration come before the work, or does the work create it?

A Jimmy Carr quote I heard while making breakfast this morning set this episode in motion. It reminded me how often musical ideas arrive simply because I’ve sat down and spent time with the instrument.

I share what that process looks like right now: working on a Brahms waltz for a potential duet with Daniele Camarda, exploring triadic movement around the bass, and following a chord progression that develops spontaneously during the episode.

We also get into a practice approach that has helped me keep improving after more than 30 years of playing: spending less time on an idea each day, but returning to it consistently for longer than I initially think necessary.

In this episode:• Why your goals should determine what you practice.• A focused 10-minute starting point for your practice routine.• The difference between understanding an idea and internalizing it.• Keeping a list of things to learn without chasing every new distraction.• Triads, inversions, and their application to bass lines and chordal playing.• Voice leading, passing chords, and developing ideas with a looper.• Using recordings and voice notes to preserve musical discoveries.• How returning to private teaching has sharpened my own focus.

I’m also considering a comprehensive book on triads—their inversions, applications, and musical context. I’d love to hear what you’d want from a resource like that.

And for anyone who stays to the end: a brief look at the humble footstool that travels everywhere with me.

If you’d like help identifying what to work on and building a practice routine around your goals I’m now offering Private lessons.

If you would prefer something with a little less commitment, but that packs a huge punch in terms of information, check out all my Books and learning resources.

More soon,

Janek

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