Many musicians of all skill levels talk about a common complaint: there just isn’t enough time in their day for music practice! However, reciting a laundry list of reasons why they weren’t able to practice doesn’t do anyone any good. You might be surprised to find out how easy it is to actually carve out time for music making. Here are several tips you can follow:
- Set A Timer.
You don’t need several hours on end to improve your musical ability. Set a timer every day for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Within that timeframe, work on a small task related to music theory or your chosen instrument. Short, daily installments are the perfect times to memorize material that tends to be dry.
- Disconnect from Television, Your Phone, & the Internet.
Whenever possible, shut off your computer during practice hours. If you need it for a related reason, such as viewing digital sheet music or using music software, then disconnect from the internet. The same applies to your phone: put it on silent mode and do your best to ignore it. Television is another significant yet mostly unnoticed distraction.
- Practice During Your Lunch Break.
Make sure that HR approves of your bringing an instrument to work before attempting this, but practicing for a short while during your breaks can lead to a steady improvement over time. Bonus points for turning what could be a gray day job into a musical one.
- Determine Your Purpose Before Practicing.
Aimlessly practicing can sometimes lead to more harm than good. Plus, it wastes time that could be used for mindful practice. Before you even hold your instrument, decide what and how you’ll practice. Visualize it clearly in your mind before writing down the task you’re about to do. Make sure you commit to your plan and avoid mindless wandering.
- Focus On The Big Picture.
It’s easy to lose track of the big picture. You might be playing cover songs every day, but that doesn’t help you build your own library of original songs. Giving daily music lessons, constantly updating social media profiles and other tasks might contribute to income but this comes at the cost of pushing creative abilities. Take some time to work on moving past the edge of your talent and avoiding stagnancy by making risky creative choices