7 Tips for Making Music Practice a Fun, Enjoyable, Sustainable Part of Your Daily Routine

“How do I get my kid to practice their instrument?”

We get asked this question all the time.

It is so normal for music students to feel unmotivated to practice at times. Factors like age, the piece they’re learning and the busyness of their week can all have an impact on students’ lack of motivation o practice. Here are several practice tips you can use to get motivated and stay on track:

1) Set achievable goals

Break down your long-term goals into smaller, achievable tasks. Rather than playing a whole piece 20 times, it can be more effective to look at 2 lines each time you sit down to practice, and get really comfortable and confident with the rhythm, melody and notes of that small section.

Once you achieve a level of smoothness and proficiency — you will eel accomplished, and ready to move onto the next 2 lines. This is especially helpful when learning a more difficult piece of music. Setting specific goals to master a specific section of the piece each day can be realistic, motivating and more rewarding.

2) Create a routine

Establish a consistent practice routine that works for you. Set aside a specific time each day to practice, and stick to it. Whether it’s 10 minutes after dinner, before dessert, or even 10 minutes before school every day.

Making practice a very normal part of the daily routine can help it feel like a seamless part of your life. This will help you develop a habit and make practicing a natural part of your day.

3) Find inspiration

Sometimes, all you need is a little bit of freshness to bring that spark back in your eyes. Surround yourself with music that inspires you. Write a list of your favourite songs. Attend concerts or watch performances online with your kids. Listen to recordings of your favorite musicians, and seek out new music to learn — pieces that you find exciting and love the sound of.

Finding inspiration in these ways can bring spring back into your feet and motivate you to practice with intrinsic motivation.

4) Take breaks

It's really important to take breaks during your practice sessions. Give your brain and body a chance to rest and recharge by stepping away if you need for a bit. Go for a walk, read a book, or do something else that you enjoy, and come back when you have a fresh mind.

It might not be the most productive thing to practice a complex piece after a long day — so make sure you know when to stop and rest. You can always come back to your instrument after you’ve taken care of yourself in other ways.

5) Get feedback

Feedback can be a really great motivator to practice, as you’ll have clarity around which specific parts of the piece you’re learning needs attention. One way of receiving feedback is by directly asking your teacher or other musician friends to listen to your playing and provide their insights on what was played well, and what could be better. This can help you identify areas that need improvement and provide motivation to keep practicing.

6) Stay organised

Keeping yourself accountable by tracking of your progress is a great way motivator to practice regularly. One way to create this sense of accountability is by writing down what you practice each day. The date — the pieces, techniques, etc. Write it all down to track your progress. Like a food diary for someone who is looking to maintain a healthier sustainable diet.

Staying organised and tracking your practice goals will help you stay motivated as you see your progress over time.

7) Mix it up

If you feel stuck in a rut, mix things up. Keep your practice sessions interesting by mixing up the exercises and pieces you work on. One day, you might start with scales. Other days, you could start your practice session with an old piece you used to play and love. Sometimes, you might practice a piece from the start. Other times, you can jump straight to the new section, skill and technique you’d learnt with your teacher at your most previous lesson. Mixing thing things up and keeping it fresh can help you avoid boredom and keep your practice sessions fresh.

Remember, motivation is not always constant, but by developing good practice habits and finding inspiration in music, you can keep your passion for music alive and thriving.

Have you been thinking about learning music?

We hold singing, piano and guitar lessons for adults and kids at our music studio in Maroubra. We’d love to hear more about you and connect you with the best teacher who can help you thrive in your confidence and learn to love music.