Timothy Van Cleave

Lately, my days revolve around two very different types of focus. I spend my mornings chasing a toddler and my afternoons teaching students. That leaves a small part of the day, usually about 45 to 90 minutes, for my own creative development. It is not a lot of time, especially when I am trying to maintain technique, generate new musical ideas, and stay engaged with the music community on Threads at @tvc_music. Still, within those short practice sessions, I have found meaningful growth.

One shift that has made a big difference is narrowing each session to just a few specific goals. Rather than trying to cover everything, I focus on three to five areas that I return to consistently. Right now, I am working on a 7/4 ostinato, swing time using the second and third partials on the snare drum while improvising with the bass drum, arpeggios on piano, Beethoven’s Opus 49 Number 1, and coordination exercises to strengthen the relationship between snare and bass drum. These targets are challenging, but they help me stay motivated and make better use of the limited time I have.

This more focused approach is not just improving my playing. It is also changing how I listen. I find myself picking up subtle details in phrasing, timing, and tone that I might have missed before. The work I am doing now is not about preparing for a specific performance. It is about becoming a better musician overall, both technically and creatively.

Sharing this process online has also helped. I have always struggled with what to post, mostly because I worried that people would scroll past or not care. Lately, though, I have been experimenting with sharing more about my day-to-day growth. I have received genuine encouragement from other musicians and had thoughtful conversations that helped me reflect more deeply. There have also been a few negative comments, which made me wonder what drives someone to troll. Maybe it is the reaction they hope to provoke, or maybe it is something else. Either way, I am choosing to focus on the positive connections and constructive feedback.

This season of life is busy and full, but I am learning to treat the time I do have with respect and purpose. A single exercise, a few clean repetitions, or a small breakthrough at the piano can all add up. Even thirty minutes of honest practice can move the needle forward.

So I will end with a question. How are you growing your passions and skills? Even when time feels scarce, there is still room to learn, reflect, and move forward. Sometimes, the most meaningful progress happens in the smallest windows.