How to Make Yourself Practice: 12 Steps to Get Yourself Going

Number One: Lie. Seriously. Lie to yourself.

Yes, in an ideal world you are so excited to practice every day that you lose hours to the music. But that’s not likely how you’re going to feel every day or about every piece. Sometimes the piece feels very challenging, you may not like it, or your energy is flagging.

Practicing is an art and one that, if done properly, will yield results. I did not understand how to practice until I was older. I’d start with a passage I knew to boost morale, then randomly jump around to different sections. I had no plan, no goal, and no way to determine progress. 

These days I cannot wait to practice.... (most days). Not only does it reassure me to know I will be prepared for my gig, it’s become a form of mediation. Once my brain learns the piece, practicing is just repetition over time. I can let my fingers do the work while my brain takes a break from the daily to do list and gets to focus on making music.

But on the days I'm struggling, here are my 12 ways of getting myself to practice. (Or do anything, really.)

1. Lie to Yourself: If you are really struggling to put yourself in front of your instrument, tell yourself you only have to do it for 5-10 minutes. Set a timer. Make yourself stay there. You can do anything for a few minutes. Most of the time, you'll feel better having started that you will keep going.

2. Focus on Your Why: Why are you learning this instrument? I've heard many reasons over the last 28 years: To play for loved ones, learn a certain piece, be first chair, make an honor band, get accepted to a certain college program, etc. Before your write off practicing for the day, focus on those reasons. Write them down and put them near your stand. Then get to work. You’ll find more motivation.

3. Bare Minimum: There are some days you feel tired, sick, stressed about other responsibilities. On those days, decide what is the bare minimum you need to do to still make progress. Do that and tell yourself you will try again next time. Some days are like this but thankfully, not all. Unless you are injured, it's better to do a little than nothing.

4. Have a Plan: What are your goals today? Get a certain section up to a certain metronome speed? Start a new section? Play a long tone 5% longer than yesterday. Start there.

5. Set Yourself Up for Success: Keep your metronome/tuner, timer, pencil, and a timer in one place. Have something to drink. (Just water if you’re an instrumentalist. Don’t blow iced latte into your flute. Keep liquids away from all instruments. And use a lid if you lean to the clumsy side.)

6. Be Physically Ready: Drink water, stretch your hands, shoulders, back. Try a Breath Builder for a few minutes. Push-ups to get your blood flowing?

   
   

7. Emotionally Prepared: Are you feeling upset, too excited to practice, frustrated, or generally dysregulated? Would 10 minutes journaling help first? Or can you channel that energy into your instruments? Angry scales (done correctly) can be a great medicine.

8. Feeling stressed? Keep a notebook next to your stand for those random thoughts, frustrations, or a reminder to finish your English homework. I find this works better than your phone which can be very distracting.

9. Break It Up: You do not have to complete all your practicing in one sitting. When I cannot sit still, I do a chunk at a time. The key is to keep coming back and finishing it. 

10. Focus on Your Feelings: Ask yourself: How will you feel if you don’t practice today? How do you feel about not playing as well as you can? How would you feel if you practiced even a little bit today? Do the bare minimum. Also, how will you feel if you just play the music and not drill? Maybe you need to make music and not practice that day.

11. Reward Yourself: How will you reward yourself after you practice? Play a different piece you love to play? Call a friend? Take a walk? 

12. Do the Hard Things First: Start with something you find challenging or boring. (If you are really struggling, this may not help you to get started. Try something else in that case.) Ask yourself: What do I really not want to do? Do it first. Ace it! Then it's done for the day.

    For some this is long tones (wind players), scales, a certain passage that is still not under your fingers, or a passage you do not enjoy.

    Also, do not spend the majority of your time on music you already know. I know, it's fun. But if your goal is to learn your instrument, you need to put new music in front of your face. 

Your turn! What are some of your tricks for making yourself practice?

---

I'm Rose. I'm a private flute/piano teacher in Duluth, MN and a Music Director at a church. I've been teaching since 1997 and I'm passionate about helping people reach their goals.

Interested in studying with me? Visit my contact page.