We’ve all been there: you’ve learned most of a song, but it’s not quite performance-ready yet. You sing through it, and things go a little wonky in certain spots—maybe it’s a tricky rhythm, a missed note, or the lyrics that just won’t come out right. It’s easy to get stuck repeating the entire song over and over, hoping those rough spots will magically smooth out. But here’s a secret: the magic happens when you practice smarter, not harder!
When it comes to efficient practice, focusing on the parts that give you trouble, rather than just singing through the whole piece, is the key to success. Let’s dive into a strategy that will help you tackle those tricky areas with confidence and turn them into your strengths.
Step 1: Sing It Once and Take Note
Start by singing through the entire song one time. As you sing, pay close attention to the areas where you feel things slip—maybe you lost track of the rhythm, missed a note, or stumbled over a lyric. Circle or mark those spots in your music as they happen.
This first step is all about awareness. Don’t worry about fixing anything just yet—just sing through the piece and take note of where the bumps are.
Step 2: Focus on the Fixes
On your second run-through, pay special attention to the spots you circled. If you sing one of those tricky areas correctly this time, great! Go ahead and erase the circle or mark it off—you’ve got that spot down. But if something’s still off, it stays circled, and those are the areas you’ll focus on during your practice session.
Step 3: Zoom In on the Problem Areas
Now it’s time to get specific. Look at each circled spot and ask yourself: what exactly went wrong? Was it the notes, the rhythm, or the lyrics? Once you’ve identified the problem, focus only on that issue.
For example, if the problem was a rhythm, clap or tap out the rhythm slowly until it feels comfortable. If it was a note, spend time on just that section, singing it repeatedly until you feel confident. Isolate the issue and work on it until you feel it becoming more natural.
Step 4: Put It Back in Context
Once you’ve nailed the tricky spot, the next step is crucial: put it back in context. It’s important not just to fix the problem in isolation, but to make sure it flows naturally with the rest of the music.
Start by adding a bit of the phrase before and after the circled spot. Sing through the whole phrase a few times, incorporating the fix into the larger context. This will help lock in the correct notes, lyrics, or rhythm so that it feels seamless when you sing through the entire song.
Step 5: Prioritize Your Next Practice
When it’s time to practice again, don’t just start from the top and sing the whole piece through. Instead, go straight to the circled spots. Begin your practice by working on the areas that need the most attention. By focusing on these spots first, you’re addressing the weak points in your music, and you won’t waste time reinforcing any bad habits that might creep in during a full run-through.
Once those tricky areas are solid, you can sing the whole song for fun—with confidence that you’ve addressed the problem spots.
Step 6: Ask for Help if Needed
If you’re having trouble identifying the tricky spots or you’re unsure how to fix them, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your section leader, a fellow chorus member, or even SPARK! Music & Artistry are all great resources. This is exactly what I do! Sometimes a fresh set of ears or eyes can make all the difference in spotting and fixing an issue.
Want to hone your skills at practicing smarter? Try online voice lessons for barbershop and sweet adeline singers with SPARK! Music & Artistry.
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Keep It Positive: Progress Over Perfection
Remember, efficient practice is all about progress, not perfection. Every time you take the time to focus on those tricky spots, you’re becoming a stronger, more confident singer. The goal isn’t to breeze through the whole song every time—it’s to make those small improvements that will add up to a polished, performance-ready piece.
You’ve got this! Each step you take is a step closer to mastering the song, and your chorus will be better for it. So, next time you sit down to practice, remember: don’t just sing through the whole song. Focus on those circled spots, fix them, and watch your hard work pay off!
And if you’re ever feeling stuck, I’m always here to help at SPARK! Let’s make every practice session count, together.
❤
Rachel
SPARK! Music & Artistr 
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