Some days, we’re eager beavers to sit down at the piano and start practicing. Maybe we just got a new aria we’re really excited to learn, or maybe we just got good feedback on our singing and are ready to take it to the next level. Don’t you just love those days?
Then there are other days, days where the mere thought of practicing just feels like having your teeth pulled. The music doesn’t seem exciting, or it’s overwhelming, or you’ve attached some other unattractive quality to it. Therefore it can be so tempting to just not practice at all.
Oftentimes though, those dreaded days lead to the best practice sessions. And especially if you have a deadline (and let’s face it, there’s always a deadline), we can’t afford to skip our practice on those awful days.
So what are we to do? How do we bridge the gap between awful and doable? Here are a couple of ideas for you.
Get your head in the game
I want to be clear – I don’t mean obsess and worry all of the work you need to do. All I mean is mentally prepare yourself to practice. Visualize the space you will practice in. Picture the music in front of you. Hear it in your head. Feel your voice as you sing that music, or the weight of the keys under your fingers as you plunk out those notes for the first time. The more you see it, the more likely you are to make it a reality.
Have a plan
One of the biggest reasons practicing can seem so overwhelming is because it feels like we have to do everything all at once. This is so not true. In fact, it’s problematic. Not only would your learning be less effective if you tried to do everything at once, the thought of it is clearly killing your motivation.
Therefore, break down your practice into sections. Will you just focus on the notes today? The rhythms? Perhaps you’ll create a technical game plan for reaching that tricky high note. Maybe you’ll focus on enunciating each and every sound in your least favorite foreign language. Picking one thing to work on in the practice room will save you time and energy, both vocally and emotionally.
Set a time limit
Similarly to having a plan, if we think our practice will take an endless amount of time, it makes practice seem off putting. However, if we set a time limit, it’s easier to convince ourselves to get in and out. The key to this, however, is to not just kill time. Make the time limit a small amount, such as 20 to 30 minutes, so that you’re more inclined to make that practice session count. (I personally find that when I set a time limit for myself, I often get into a groove and go over it anyway).
Think of the end result
Whatever piece it is you are working on, you probably have a favorite recording of it. That recording probably features a singer you love and look up to.
Now imagine when you have this piece learned and how wonderful you will sound on it. Imagine someone looking up to you as you sing it. The only question is, will that be a year from now, or ten years from now? It largely depends on whether you get into the practice room today or not.
Reward yourself
Alright, you got your head in the game, you made a plan, you set your time limit, and you visualized the end result. You did the work – congratulations! Now go reward yourself with whatever it is you wanted to do with your practice time. Wanted to catch up on that television show? Go for it! Meet up with friends? Have fun! Take a nap? Be my guest! Whatever your reward is, when you set it, think about how much better it will feel to treat yourself after some good practice time.
There are many other ways you can motivate yourself to practice, but I find these to be the most effective for me.
What are some of your favorite ways to motivate yourself to practice?
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