File Music and stay calm

If you file music as you learn it you will find it much easier to choose pieces for performance, even if that performance is at short notice. A little organization can save a lot of stress. If this isn't a quote by somebody I would like the credit for it!

The essential information you need when filing your music for future performance is the title of the piece (I always add the key here too if it isn´t part of the title), composer, date or period when it was written, the tempo and the date you started and finished learning the piece. The File it form also contains a section to add details of the original owner of the music in case you need to contact them and ask to borrow it again. This information is all on the top of the form.

Add details of any performances of the piece and make a note of any particularly difficult sections as you practice. These are the parts you need to practice first if asked to perform the piece. When it is complete mark in the date of completion, photocopy the music (if you are the owner) and attach the form.

Click here to download the File it sheet and Click here to download some notes on how to use it

You might decide not to bother with this.. but next time you have to do a sudden performance and you are rushing around trying to remember the pieces you have learned recently, who has the music and whether there were any bits that were very difficult and you don't have time to practice again remember it is here. It won't help you with that particular performance, but it will help make sure you aren't ever in that situation again!

We all need a little 'encouragement' to do seemingly unimportant things like file music sometimes!

All the files on this page are in a PDF format. Click here to get the free Adobe Acrobat Reader which you will need to view the files. Mac users may also view them in the built in application Preview.

For more advice on how to make more efficient use of your practice time, read my book Practice Makes Perfect. For more guidance when practising scales order Practice Makes Perfect, the book that teaches you how to make your music practice more efficient and effective. Easy to read and containing over 140 pages of advice on how to practice, musical goal setting, practice games, exams and further tips on using the music practice charts on this site as well as other invaluable practice advice. One music teacher called Practice Makes Perfect "An essential read for all musicians "
Click here now to order or read more about how Practice Makes Perfect can help you make more progress in much less time.