Set Realistic Short And Long Term Goals
Don’t set lofty goals without knowing how much work it will take to achieve them, that will only lead to disappointment. Instead, set weekly practice goals with your teacher, with long term goals in mind, such as performances, competitions, playing in an ensemble or with friends and family, or just a higher level of proficiency with your own instrument. The small goals serve as solid stepping stones, reasonable concrete achievements that build your skill and your confidence.
At your weekly lessons, keep checking to see if you are on track to meet these goals. Are you ahead of schedule? Did you bite off more than you can chew? Adjust the goals accordingly, perhaps perform sooner, or shoot for something more realistic for the time that you have to spend. Alternatively, you may decide to increase your practice time and listening time to meet the goal that you have set! Doing this will establish a mental history or “track record” of success. Even if you fall short, you can feel proud of your progress and the positive things that you did achieve and the goals that you accomplished. All of this will keep your momentum going!
Remember, You Don’t Have To Run The Full Distance Every Day
Look at a short practice as a quick jog, or a walk around the block to stay in shape! Use a long practice wisely with a practice plan and a checklist! Don’t establish a habit of skipping practices, establish instead the habit of doing the best you can with the time that you have!
Have A Consistent Practice Time And Place
This helps most people get focused, and establishes a good habit, a rhythm for your musical life. If you can’t practice at the normal time, or as much as you want, do a short practice, or at least try to squeeze in some listening!
Stay organized! Keep music, equipment, instrument(s) in a safe place, preferably wherever you practice! If it has to be somewhere else, make a habit of unpacking, and packing up at the beginning and end of each practice, just as if you were going to a lesson. Having to search for a piece of music, lesson notes, a metronome, or a music stand wastes a lot of time that could have been playing time!
Find A Support Network
Play for your parents, friends, or do low stress performing at home, on holidays, or at community events. Find your own fan club so that you have people cheering for you, who value and understand the time you are putting in!
Great Practice Habits Don’t Just Grow On Trees
Think of them as a journey, like following a treasure map, and you are the one that has to do the walking! Each clue leads you a little closer, and you learn new things and enjoy a lot of adventures along the way! Sometimes, it can be scary or challenging to explore new things, other times exciting to discover something new! Don’t look at a set back as a failure, look at it as a detour, and find a way to keep following the map to your goal. Musical treasure awaits you, and you just might find that the search often becomes as rewarding as finding that treasure at the end of the map!
- Karine Stone, Music Instructor at Vibe Music Academy.
