Do you prefere 1 long practice session or a few short ones. Because I am unempolyed I am able to do both but was wondering what works best for everybody else.

During the work week I practice on an average of about an hour a day.
On days off I may practice and rehearse about 2-3 hours.

Both, short ones for learning new routines or moves, longer ones when rehearsing shows.

I would agree with Father Photius, but be care -- don't burn yourself out.

Also, I've notice that sometimes with myself I need to take a break during long rehearsal periods....I start to go crazy so I need to walk away for a bit -- for example, go shopping with the wife ;-)

Anyhow, carry on...

David

I have learned that anytime, focused time, spent practicing is beneficial. If you can set aside a big chunk of time great! If all you have is 10-15 minutes that is fine as well. The important thing is that your practice time be spent deeply focused on getting something accomplished. Of course if you are working on a show you will want to set aside a bigger chunk of time. But I have scheduled 3 hour rehearsals that have resulted in very little getting done because the people involved want to fart around instead of rehearse the show. Again, concentrated amounts of time will greatly benefit you. Unfocused time is not helpful.

Short; but if t depends on you. Try both and see which is most successful

If I'm into it and have the time hours can pass quickly.
There is no better practice than enjoyable practice.

If it's drills like memory things or repetitive movements like flourishes a little every day can keep me from back sliding and forgetting. I make it a game and track my improvement. little bits of time add up.

Sometimes I have to set the show and put on the wardrobe and do the whole thing to make any progress.

So, I really need all sorts of practice to improve different areas.

-Mary Mowder

Pulled out my old routine after 3 years and it came back after about three run-thrus.
Except for the coins.
I was aghast at how stiff the 'ol fingers had become.
So now I'm back to carrying halfs & a silver eagle everywhere. Amazing how much idle time there in during the day to practise moves and rolls.

Otherwise, I'm practicing 2 hours a day of all new material with additional time for planning the sequence order, the look, character, etc.
Not at the point of putting the full new act together just yet.
The old stuff still works. It's just time for something different.

I practice and rehearse in a few ways. I practice the technical parts of my effects. Then next I will perform the full routine. Then I'll rehearse the whole show from start to beginning in full dress. The times differ for each part depending on time and schedule. Of course when I have only short time to practice I just do the technical practice which takes less time than the full routine or whole show rehearsal. This way depending on the length of my practice time I always have parts of my show I can work on.

I nearly always work from a list.One of the things on the list will be complete runs through but also will be various sections that need close attention and the links between components.However in terms of time I think it has to be 'as long as you can maintain standards' I don't think its good to keep walking through things with bad posture for example,i think this can lead to learning bad habits.Then after a break you might find that you can come back to it and be fresh enough to maintain standards again
.Often because I'm usually working on lots of skills some of which are long established ones,some new,some involving training new muscles and still others being things I'm wrestling with mentally.I find that I cannot cope with them all at once so will alternate them between sessions,which is how I've ended up using a list.

It is best to practice something fresh, then set it down and come back to it fresh again as this helps with how you will actually be performing the illusion.