Today I'm practicing

Three Instruments, One Focused Practice PlanBy David
Balancing piano, mallets, and drum set in a single session might sound ambitious—but with intention and structure, it becomes a powerful way to grow across disciplines. Here's how I organize my two-hour daily practice to stay sharp, inspired, and musically connected.
🛠️ Step 1: Prepare Your MaterialsBefore I play a single note, I gather everything I need:

• Sheet music
  
• Pencils
  
• Reading glasses
  
• Recorder
  
• Metronome
  

Having these tools ready keeps me focused and minimizes interruptions.
🎯 Step 2: Set Clear GoalsEach session begins with a purpose. I know exactly what I want to accomplish on each instrument.
🎹 Piano

• Jazz Standards: I’m working on memorizing Beatrice by Sam Rivers and My Ideal by Chet Baker. I start by listening, then reconstruct the tunes by ear using the chord changes.
  
• Classical Repertoire: Sightreading Haydn’s Sonata in C helps me maintain touch and stylistic fluency in classical music.
  

🔔 Mallets

• Technical Etude
  
• Twelve Major Scales
  
• Sixty Broken Jazz Chords
  
• Twelve ii–V–I Rootless Voicings (4 mallets)
  
• Perform Beatrice and My Ideal on the MalletKAT
  

This combination keeps my hands nimble and my ears tuned to jazz harmony.
🥁 Drum Kit

• 10-Minute Warm-Up
  
• Record One Wilcoxen Etude. These etudes bring tone, phrasing, and musicality to my playing. 
  
• Practice Drum Solo Vocabulary because my drums solo suck.
  
• Two Pages from Rick Dior’s Drum Book
  

These exercises build precision, creativity, and endurance behind the kit. Endurance that I will need this fall playing drums in 2 big bands each week. 
⏱️ Total Time: 2 HoursIt’s a tight schedule, but with focus and flow, it’s incredibly productive.
If you’d like help organizing your own practice routine, feel free to reach out.
Best,