i was just thinking about some of my piano playing friends and how they go about practicing, and what they practice.  seems like everyone has their own routine and even though there are theoretically "correct" ways of practicing, people just do their own thing and make it work.

so i'm curious about how you folks practice, if it's scheduled, if you work on specific stuff, tunes, technique, whatever you do.

for some of you who read the forums but don't post, i invite you to add your experience to this thread as well (please? :)

i'll put my own practice mentality down in another post.
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i don't practice, i only rehearse.

which means i only work on stuff that i intend to play in public and get paid for it.

i have no regimen whatsoever, however if i get a bug up my ass to do something, i will pursue it with unbridled passion. sometimes i'll work in an inspired frenzy for days or weeks at a time on a particular project.

this system works great for me, i only do whatever i feel like, whenever i feel like doing it.

but, man, when i feel like doing something there's no stopping me!
there is always something to practice.  i try to focus on my weaknesses one at a time (because there are so many)  when i feel confident in one area (technical, stylistic, whatever)  i'll move to another.  perhaps i have a.d.d. but like 7, i just ride the waves of my interests.  

i also strive for a balanced diet between technique (scales, arpeggios, exercises, etudes, reading) classical, pop and jazz genres, improv (structured and free)  basically i practice stuff that's way more complicated musically and technically then anything i would ever have to play on a gig.  it helps me retain a level of confidence.  then, on the occasions where i get to stretch out on a gig and push the envelope a bit, all that practice pays off...

i also practice ridding my mind of noise while i play/practice.  i try not to have any preconceived notions about how i'm well going to play, what i'm going to play or what anyone might be thinking about my playing - it's tough to do, but it really pays off.  this means learning let compliments and criticism kind of roll off as if i were wearing an emotional raincoat:)

i tell all students to work on the basics (scales, arpeggios, practice in all keys etc) number one: because it gives you a foundation on which to build and number two: because most people do not take the time so you'll  be a cut above most players.
here's how i try to split the limited amount of time i have:
- 10 minutes of technique (scales, hanon, omnibook)
- 10 minutes of voicings, drop 2, arranging
- 20 minutes of improv
- 15 mins composing / writing out solos
- 15 minutes of playing arrangements  
- 15 mins of transcribing.  

i kinda do it in that order too, so if i don't have time that day, playing arrangements and transcribing might be out.
i guess that at this point in time, i don't ever really practice. i usually play what i want to play, if i hear something that i want to play then i work on that. as far as any real structured practice of any real substance, it's not happening. also though i don't envision my playing any "real" performances at any time. i play solely for my personal satisfaction due to the changes that have occurred in the last two years. my whole outlook has been changed forcing my reconsideration of many things that i once considered important and necessary. i concentrate now more on living than life.
i don't have any systematic routine, but i usually have about 10 or 15 tunes on my "to learn" list at any given time. i don't practice them all in one sitting, of course. usually just one or two at a time. lately i'm trying to become well versed in some classic bebop tunes like celia, hot house and donna lee, and playing the melody with both hands. i've also discovered that i can't practice rhythm changes enough. it always needs work.  

in addition to that, i'm composing more lately and finding it necessary to practice my own tunes a lot.
i usually just like to go through one of my fake books and make up arrangements, see what i can come up with on the spot.
scot,  
don't forget, in your original post you said you would talk about your own "practice mentality" in another post. i don't mean to nag, of course. just that i and others, i'm sure, are curious what you had to say.
i read an article on 9th 11th and 13th chords and that led me to
practicing these in all keys, which led me to writing some musical ideas down based on these gorgeous chords.  in addition i usually have a standard (eg. blue skies, beautiful love), that i am working on in depth.
i also try to learn at least one or two new songs each week, and thereby practice my sight reading.  on the horizon i hope to go back and try some of the bach two hand stuff 'just because'.
been following the kenny werner video workshops too, and that helps me in doing 'musical yoga'.
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