I’ve been a student on Bryan Sutton’s ArtistWorks school since 2019. Here are the key messages he’s conveyed during our video exchanges:

  • Every practice session should progress through three distinct phases:
    • Remind. This can be considered a reminder of what quality is and a warm up;
    • Repeat. Where we might be learning something we know. We could also be reviewing something we already know;
    • Challenge. Where we seek to challenge our current ability.
  • Deliberate, focussed practice is a good thing. Understand what success is and work towards that.
  • Avoid tension. Be aware of what’s going on in your body.
  • Variety in practice is a good thing. It’s not good to just continually pound the same thing over and over again. Do something for a few minutes and move on.
  • Favour musicality over metrics. The bigger musical ideal is not about aiming for a specific tempo or version. It’s more about experiencing the tune in the most musical way possible.

There’s a mentality in playing where we’re trying to avoid mistakes that, in and of itself, is concerning because it sort of invites a little bit of tension. - Bryan Sutton