Happy New Year Music Place! I’m sure we’re not the only ones glad to see the rear end of 2020 and, although 2021 hasn’t kicked off to a roaring start, there’s light at the end of the tunnel! We really hope you’re all continuing to enjoy your sessions online but we know that, as we begin our third national lockdown, motivation might be running a little low on the practise front. SO… here are our top tips for effective practise at home.
Set up your space
When it comes to feeling motivated, your surroundings are everything. Try to set up a clear, quiet space for yourself and make sure you have everything you need before you begin- books, practise diary, tuners etc. This will limit the number of times you have to break focus to go and look for something you need.
Little and Often
There’s nothing more boring than sitting playing round the same few bars for hours on end. And boring, lengthy practice sessions can contribute to that feeling of de-motivation and reluctance. Carve out a small chunk of time every day – you’ll make more progress practising little and often than infrequently and foreverrrrr. Practising frequently will also help improve your muscle memory.
Stick to a schedule
As dull as it might sound, sticking to a practise schedule is really the only way to avoid doing your homework on the morning bus. To avoid the feeling of stress and panic, portion out your time, set small, achievable goals and don’t leave it all until the night before your lesson.
Treat yo’self!
It’s a tough time at the moment, and there’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a little extra motivation by throwing a reward into the mix.
Practise the tricky parts
Progress is the best motivator- there’s nothing more satisfying than finally being able to play something you’ve been struggling with. So don’t just play round the parts of the music that you find easy- invest some time into the harder bars!
Music is the best medicine
If you’re feeling a little unmotivated, pop on some of your favourite tunes and remind yourself why you decided to learn an instrument in the first place- just loving music!
Join our 30 Day Practise Challenge
We’ve been thinking about how to break the lockdown practise slump and we’ve come up with The 30 Day Practise Challenge! Donate £5 to take part and we’ll send you your Practise Calendar to chart your progress. All money raised will be donated to the NSPCC. Help us start 2021 with a bit of positivity, and improve your practise at the same time!
So there you go! A few top tips for keeping your motivation up throughout this difficult time. But remember, the best tool you have at your disposal is your own mind-set. Just like Henry Ford said (and he achieved some things), “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Have a lovely week everyone!
