I came across this wonderful video of Steinway Artist and Professor of Piano, Dr. John Mortensen. Watch his video if you want his reasoning behind the list below. And, while I don’t think it’s possible to all of these ten things every day, he really makes a good point about composing and improvising. This is something I rarely do. : (

1. Listen and study scores.
2. Sight read every day. Shoot for 20 minutes a day.
3. Read about music. Biographies, histories, etc…
4. Go to concerts.
5. Record yourself and critique.
6. Guard your practice time.
7. Practice scales and arpeggios in all keys.
8. Improvise and compose all the time.
9. Attack your weaknesses.
10. Discuss music with other musicians.

To work!