Practice Basket

Written by Doniell Cushman

You need a practice basket. Don't even think about arguing with me about this, you need one.
What the heck is a practice basket? It's a useful resource for any budding musician to keep handy on, or near their instrument and practice space. It will help you (or your student) be most successful in practice at home, or any location.

I suggest going to any dollar store where they will have most everything on this list, but you can of course use things you already have around the house, or purchase the products you already love. How you get these items makes no difference to me, the teacher.

1. Start with a small basket that is at least 4"x 4", on up in size. They don't (and shouldn't) need to be large. Recommendations: www.dollartree.com/Cleaning-Storage/storage-organization/Storage-Baskets-Caddies/1470c541c1518/index.cat. You can even get one with a handle if you go to difference practice locations (i.e. practice rooms at college or school, church, etc.), or do a zippered pouch if you tend to drop or lose things.
2. EVERY musician needs a pencil. I'd throw in a standard, and a mechanical pencil.
3. A pencil sharpener. See above.
4. An eraser. Why? Because
   1. You could run out of eraser on your pencil
   2. Sometimes, you need more power than a pencil eraser. I'd get a heavy duty one like this: www.officesupply.com/school-supplies/student-teacher-supplies/basic-school-supplies/pencil-erasers/sanford-eraser/p68960.html?ref=%3Dpla&product_id=68960&adpos=1o3&creative=164963952930&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5bDrxrGe1gIVA6xpCh3zigr2EAQYAyABEgLrCPD_BwE
5. Highlighters in different colors. Personally, I recommend at least 3 different colors. Musicians often need something to draw attention to details like dynamics, articulations, and such. Having a variety is useful if you say "all dynamics are a yellow" and "all notes I miss are pink" as an example.
6. Post-its. If you are a person who writes reminders, phone numbers, directions, etc. down, and need them handy, you need post-its. Also, they work as page markers really well. If you get quality ones you can move them often too.
7. Digital metronome. All musicians should have a metronome handy. Yes, I know you can put it on your phone. But, let's say the one on your phone doesn't have a blinking option because it was a free app ... or maybe you ran out of battery power and don't have your charger on you, etc., having that digital metronome handy is essential. Personally, I have 5 metronomes. Two are even built into my keyboards, and I STILL use a free standing digital one. Also, pendulums often are either too large, awkward or delicate to fit in the baskets and be lugged around.
8. A rhythm device. Maracas, Tambourine, Egg shaker, Rhythm sticks, or as I prefer, a train whistle. These make the ever tiresome clapping and counting fresh and fun.
9. A Pad of Paper. Because maybe you thought of something, or maybe you need a lengthy note. Whatever it is, having a pad handy is extremely helpful. It can remind you to look up a term that you've never heard/seen before, or remind you that you practiced for 20 minutes on a piece of music.
10. Hand sanitizer. Face it, germs are everywhere.
11. Kleenex. See above. Also, combine the two as a quick wipe for using an instrument that's not yours, like the ancient pianos in the practice rooms at school.
12. A clothespin (or two). If you play an instrument that requires strong fingers, these are a great exercise device. Do ten reps with fingers 1 and 2, 1 and 3, etc. Also, they double as clips to hold music in place, or help troublesome books to stay open.

After you put your basket together, keep it in an easy to find/reach location and USE IT religiously. You can of course add things to it that you want/need (i.e. lotion, eye drops, reeds, cleaning cloths, lip balm, etc.), but all the items I listed are the key components you should always have available. Replace items that break, or are no longer useable as needed. This is again why the dollar store is an excellent place to get what you need for your practice basket.

At the end of my most recent recital, Spring of 2017, I had each student build their own practice basket, and explained why they needed the items in it. I loaded up at the dollar store, and only spent about $30 out of pocket for around 20 students. I'd say it was a steal since I didn't have to pay for the recital space!

If you have more than 1 musician in your home, I strongly urge you to have a practice basket for each. Young children will ultimately want to make sure what's theirs is theirs, but we older musicians like to use reliable products and know that brand we love is always in there.

There are of course many ways to create a practice basket, so I'd love to hear what you put, or have in yours! Take a photo too, I'd love to see it.