Well, everyone it is now summer, that time of year when students get the chance to relax, go to the beach, watch lots of tv and practice to get ready for next year. "What, he says? Practice? It's summer. I'll just get ready a couple of weeks before school starts and I'll be fine." No, my young padawan learner, you will not be fine.

Summer is the time when 1 of two things can happen: progression or regression. If a student takes off even a week from playing at all one will start to see a loss of some of the skills improved upon during the school year. Taking the entire summer off will cause your teacher and yourself to start all over again when school begins.

In order to progress and make the most of the summer set up a daily (or at least every couple of days) practice routine. Works some exercises (and of course scales, chords, arpeggios etc.), maybe including some work on new technical things you haven't started on yet. Review some old literature to keep it fresh (and so you have something to play at those departmental recitals that are inevitably empty at the beginning of the year). If your teacher hasn't already assigned you music for next semester contact them to see what you should work on next to get a head start for your next school year. And most important, have FUN!!!! It is still summer.

Remember: being a musician is not a 8-9 months out of the year professions. It has to be a year round way of life.