The Power of Practice in Music and Life

The quiet magic of persistence: where practice fuels progress in music and life.

5 Tips to Make Your Practice Effective and Fun!

From The Motivational Music Coach

“Go practice piano!”—I hated hearing these words when I was a kid, so much that I stuffed my little blue duffle bag with a few shirts, a toothbrush and jeans and started down the street in an attempt to run away cause I DIDN’T WANT TO PRACTICE!

But why?

If you ever took piano when you were young, you probably were told these words by your parents. As I reflect on this experience, a number of things were happening, some external and some internal, that led to my distaste.

Some parents will tell me how much fun the lessons are, but that their child is not practicing. Instead of forcing students, I prefer to discover where the resistance is and then develop simple methods to make practice as inspiring and enjoyable as the lessons.

My resistance started by practicing on a beat-up, out-of-tune piano in our dark, dingy basement. And I was forced to practice alone. It was like I was princess being summoned into the musical dungeon.

Here are five tips I use to make my own practice effective and fun!

TIP # 1: CREATE A SPECIAL PLACE TO PRACTICE

Create an inspiring musical space with excellent lighting. Have all your practice materials organized and in order along with your monthly practice sticker chart. When we feel comfortable and enthusiastic in a creative, musical nurturing space, it helps us associate positive feelings with practice time.

Tip #2: Create a Special Time Daily to Practice

at least 15-30 minutes five days a week. Have a working metronome and timer in your space to help monitor time and use those stickers!

Tip #3 : Set 1-3 monthly goals and a practice intention.

Write them down and post them where you can see them each time you practice. Make them clear and doable like these.

My goal for piano is to play Bach’s Prelude in C from Start to Finish smoothly and confidently. My goal for guitar is to play lead on the Jazz jam smoothly and confidently.

My goal for ukulele and singing is to play and sing All of Me in a steady rhythm and hitting the high A at the end of the song clearly, strongly with ease and confidence.

My intention is to practice with joy, lightness and compassion.

Tip #4: Create a plan to reach your goals

Like when we workout, it’s good to start with a warm up to transition us into our music making time. Scales and arpeggios (broken chords) across the the keys or fretboard are a super start! For me, it is a meditation. Then practice applying 1-3 concepts we address in lessons to your repertoire and have fun!

Tip #5: Practice Gratitude-

This summer, I began to Ask for guidance for how to expand my vision of promote peace, love and joy through music and creativity to the world. As I was taking a stroll along Henry’s beach one morning with my psychedelic peace uke strapped on my back, the answer came through my heart in full force-GRATITUDE! I plopped down on the nearest rock and began strumming and singing my song “Grateful” that Quinn and I play at a local Alzheimer’s home.

I am grateful for the children and the trees /I am grateful for the faces I see/ I am grateful for the joy in my heart/I am grateful for the One Song we are

I am grateful, so grateful, I am grateful so grateful cause love lives in me/ I am grateful, so grateful, I am grateful so grateful for this truth sets me free

I am grateful for this holy life/I am grateful for this sacred flightI am grateful for the power of peace/I am grateful for this mystery

One of the internal blocks that was creating resistance to my practice years ago was fear. I was terrified of all the deep emotions music was bringing to the surface, and I didn’t feel safe nor know how to express them. When we connect with gratitude, it reminds us of how loved we all truly are in expressing our true selves.

I encourage you and your children to take a few minutes out of your busy days to breath deeply and practice gratitude. Music reminds us of the incredible gift of our lives. I also invite you to write or choose your own gratitude song for our November 9 Gratitude Gathering at Maravilla at 6 p.m. I am deeply grateful to all of you for opening your home to me, sharing your families, children, dogs, cats, and magical musical moments. I look forward to an inspiring year as we all learn, grow and....JAM together.

Rock On!