I sat down next to the best guitarist I’ve ever met and asked him what his number one piece of advice would be (this would be right after I figured I should just wrap my trusty Taylor around a tree after hearing him play) and he answered, “buy a guitar stand, take your guitar out of the case and put it in your living room”. News flash: he was absolutely right. If I have a few minutes I can just grab it and play and the effect that it’s had over the years has been amazing. (Inside secret, fellas: when your wife says, “I’m ready” you have 10 minutes of practice time available.)

The same is true of that spiffy black folder on the shelf or in a bag that says “Windward Choral Society” on the front of it. Put it in reach. Make it part of your world outside the two hours on Tuesday. When you have a few minutes, pick a piece at random and just sing a bit (or at least practice in your head). You’ll be amazed at the change that it will make when you turn to it at rehearsal.

(Bonus stuff, the guitarist in question. This piece starts in the land of “that’s nuts” and climbs from there. Enjoy. https://youtu.be/IR11zjbUOU8 )