“Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.”
Tom Lehrer
A piano journey is similar to a long journey, so getting and remaining motivated are key factors in shaping your musical excursions. This chapter will cover how to maintain that fire lit even on the toughest of days. Finding a practice partner, documenting your progress and performing to others will help create an ecosystem that maintains the cycle of improvement. This chapter is about best practices that will re-ignite the desire within you to follow your musical dreams.
The Importance of Staying Motivated
Without motivation, practice becomes mere repetition, not improvement. Your development as a musician is supported by every single session, even though the results may appear sluggish. A small milestone achieved, or a few moments spent reflecting on your journey can always rejuvenate your spirit and give you a push towards your next challenge.
Describe a moment in your practice where you had an “inspired” feeling. Why did you have that feeling and how can you re-create it going forward?
Finding a Practice Buddy
If you have trouble motivating yourself to practice, then find a practice buddy. This will give you an extra measure of accountability and will make it much more fun. Having a practice partner makes the experience more fun and opens room for feedback and encouragement.
Benefits:
- Accountability: Regular sessions ensure you stick to your practice schedule.
- Collaboration: Share tips, learn from one another, and work on the tricky parts together.
- Support: Celebrate successes and navigate setbacks as a team.
Interactive Exercise
Reach out to a friend, fellow musician, or join an online community to find a practice partner. Schedule regular sessions and keep a shared log of your progress. In your journal, note how practicing with someone impacts your motivation.
Recording Your Progress
You can make regular recordings of your practice sessions and then listen to those recordings at a later date to get a clear idea of how much you are improving over time. Documenting your journey (you can use audio, video or written logs) can help you be more aware of your progress, things you aim to improve, and also instil a sense of confidence in you.
Benefits:
- Self-Assessment: Listen or watch your recordings to identify strengths and areas to improve.
- Motivation: Seeing tangible progress encourages you to keep moving forward.
- Memory: Maintain a digital or physical journal with notes, recordings, and reflections from each session.
Interactive Exercise
Set up a simple recording system using your phone or computer to capture a brief segment of your practice each week. Listen to these recordings monthly and write a short reflection on your progress.
Performing for Others
Playing music is a great incentive to share what you have, even in small circles and in informal settings. When you play for others, you are building confidence and getting new viewpoints on your playing.
Tips:
- Start Small: Perform for family, friends, or in a relaxed online setting.
- Embrace Feedback: Constructive criticism is a valuable tool for growth.
- Build Confidence: Each performance is a step toward greater stage presence and self-assurance.
Interactive Exercise
Plan a small virtual concert or post a video of your performances on an encouraging social media platform. Later, write down the feedback you received and how the experience felt for you in your practice journal.
My Stories and Encouragement
Along the way, motivation sometimes faded, but a buddy to practice with, watching a video I recorded of myself, or having a mini performance would then reinvigorate me. There was one week when I felt really stuck and got together with a friend for a bit of a play. He looked at me and said every note was a win, no matter how small, and it really put things into perspective given how I was feeling at that moment. These experiences showed me that barriers are momentary, and we can only reach our limit by never stopping.
Reflect back on a situation where you tackled a difficult problem within your practice. How did you do it? Document your story, one that you can remind yourself of your resilience and how far you have come.
Bringing It All Together
What we went through in this chapter:
- Understand how motivation is necessary in your piano journey.
- Keep the fire burning with techniques like having a practice partner, listening to the progress you make, and putting up little shows for other people.
- Remember what you have and light your way with motivational quotes.
Implement just one motivation technique into your day such as a brief journaling session, a practice with you and a partner, or a recording of you, then review your effort. Finally, sustainable momentum can be gained through consistent, positive actions.
Each practice you do is one small step closer to your musical goals. Enjoy the process, appreciate every success, and let your love of music guide you every single day. Be encouraged, and remember that even tiny progress is still progress, and a win that deserves to be celebrated.
Keep up with your practice and may your journey be filled with endless inspiration and joy!