Online Practice Timer

At the bottom of interface are the controls that let you create a session plan and then run it through via the main clock face. Each block can be navigated using a touch screen or mouse, but it is quicker using keys from your computer keyboard.

It give good audio clues as to when to change activity which keeps your attention on your instrument. With all these keyboard shortcuts, you don’t have to take your eyes off of what you’re playing to control your session. Want to stop time? Hit spacebar. Need to skip forward a few blocks? Hit J. Need to rewind the timer to the very first minute of your session? Hit R. And with the number keys (1-8), you can choose a block on timeline to dive into. Then, you can make quick edits to that block’s details.

How to Use the Practice Timer Controls

On the left is big screen that displays the activity you’re doing along with how much longer that particular block lasts. Next to it is the panel that tells you what you’re working on now and what’s coming up next. There’s also progress rail which details where you are in your overall planned work session. To start the timer, there’s the Begin button; pause is Hold. There’s also Rewind, which will reset back to zero. There’s also Jump if you want to skip ahead to the next section.

The next element below the clock is the session strip. This displays your plan for that practice session in blocks. The length of block depends on how long it lasts. Whether it is for technique practice, a warm up, or other areas of music making, each block have a purpose.

You can click or tap the block you wish to edit. That block will highlight and indicate that you have chosen to edit it. You’ll notice that there’s also an editor on the bottom where you can tweak each block. To begin, select an activity type from the dropdown to categorize it. Then, you can add a goal or note in the label field. Use the minutes input to adjust how long this block lasts and turn on minute markers if you want to hear a subtle cue each minute while you’re in a block. When you’re done tweaking, hit commit to save those changes to the block you’ve got selected.

Add and drop blocks to shape up your session To add another block at the bottom of your stack, hit the insert button; to delete current block on tap of the remove button. To reorder your practice, use the nudge buttons, which will shift a block up or down, to arrange the workflow in your session that makes sense for you to go from one thing to the other.

You have some ready-made practice plans in the recipe drawer. Just choose one of those presets, like a micro-session or a more balanced arc. Click on magnetize, and it will swap out that timeline with selected recipe. It’s good if you’d like to take off and run with a tried-and-tested structure, but again, once applied, you’re able to customize each of these blocks as you see fit. Go back to the default set-up anytime by clicking restore original board.

Without needing to look at the clock, the audio cues keep you right on schedule. The volume slider allows you to set the level of the cue so it’s not too loud for wherever you are working, and then select a transition voice from the dropdown (wooden knock, soft chime, etc). Click the rehearse button and listen to the cues. This way, you’ll know what they sound like when you’re in a long session.

The help button displays an overlay with a quick guide that explains the keyboard shortcuts and controls. When you’re done reading it, simply close out of the guide and go practice!

The fullscreen button will take the widget and expand it onto your entire screen, removing any distractions and providing additional space to see the timeline. If you like a bigger interface, use this one.

To help you plan out your session, make technique blocks of specific focus (short). Follow these with repertoire blocks that let you apply what you’ve practiced. Use the minute markers to show where you want to keep the momentum going in a larger section. Begin with a straightforward warm-up to ease yourself into the flow of things. Edit the plan as you go by nudging the blocks around or making adjustments if necessary.

With this timer, you’re in complete command of your practice structure. You can follow several preset recipes or create a custom one. Set up the audio cues beforehand and then let the widget take care of the timing so that you can focus on the task at hand, playing. Experiment with different activity combinations to discover what works for you.