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Tracking Practice Time

I know I mentioned previously that I'm now tracking my practice time. I've only been tracking it for about a month, but ... wow! I can't believe I've never done this before.

Not Just a Piano Nerd

Friends, I am not just a piano nerd. I'm also an Excel spreadsheet nerd, I've decided to track much more than just how much time I'm devoting to each piece/skill.

Leaderboards

I now have a daily leaderboard so I can make sure I'm not spending too much time each day on the same piece. It's not that I have to spend and equal amount of time on everything, but I do tend to go through phases of focusing on one particular piece while forgetting the others exist, and this will help prevent that.

I'm going to have a weekly leaderboard, too. Just because. And heck, maybe I'll end up with monthly and yearly leaderboards. Because leaderboards are fun!

Also, because I am a nerd, I am marking the "leaders" in yellow highlight.

Other Stuff I'm Tracking

I'm also tracking how much time per month I'm spending on each piece/skill. Total minutes/total hours, how many days per month I've practice them, and how much time per day I'm averaging.

Also, because I am a nerd, I am indicating what's in first place (blue), second place (red), third place (white), and fourth place (gold) as the month progresses.

It's Overkill ... But It Helps!

I know this is overkill. I'm really not this analytical. I just love spreadsheets. But it does help. For instance, as I entered my time this morning, I realized I haven't touched Maple Leaf Rag since Wednesday, and I haven't had a focused practice on it since Monday.

How did I manage to go almost five days without a good focus on Maple Leaf? Even with a spreadsheet?!?

Anyway, I tend to update the spreadsheet twice a day, along with my piano journal, because I'm usually able to grab a a half-hour or so of practice time in the morning before I go to work.

This blog post features my April practice log so far. Of course, I'll post all of the totals at the end of the month!

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