Learning a new instrument isn’t just a wonderful pastime. It’s an opportunity to expand your horizons and even make yourself more intelligent. Playing an instrument opens up a world of creativity and self-expression that other activities can’t offer in the same way.
However, it can be daunting, as learning anything new can be. Yet, with the right approach and a little bit of persistence you can learn a new instrument in no time. Whether you want to play the piano or the ukulele, here are three tips to help you stay motivated and make progress quickly.
Be Realistic
Perhaps the most important is starting with clear and manageable goals that are actually realistic. If you get too carried away with what you hope to achieve, then it’s only a matter of time until you burn out prematurely. Focus on mastering a few basics before moving on to more complicated chords or sheet music.
It helps to set small manageable goals, and check them off as you go. Perhaps it’s a weekly goal or even a monthly goal. Making it to each checkpoint will help you stay motivated to keep moving on to the next. As you watch each checkpoint be accomplished, your confidence will be boosted and you’ll be that much more motivated to keep progressing.practice makes perfect, and there’s a reason why that
Practice Daily
Practice makes perfect, and there’s a reason why that phrase is so popular. Daily practice is essential if you hope to make progress. Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, consistency is one of the most important parts of building your skills. Practicing for 10 to 15 minutes a day may seem like nothing, but it’s still much more effective than only practicing for one hour twice a week.
This is because repetition builds memory and becomes like a second instinct. Set aside a dedicated period of each day for practice even if it’s just a short spurt. Focus on specific skills like scales or even rhythm exercises. If you’re short on time and don’t have enough time to dedicate in one sitting, try to break up your practice sessions into multiple ones.
Stay Patient
Patience is everything when it comes to making progress. If you start to get frustrated with yourself it’s only a matter of time until you throw in the towel and give up altogether. When things get hard it’s important that you breathe and stay kind. Pat yourself on the back and reward yourself for all the progress you’ve made so far. While it may be tempting to give up altogether when things get hard, it’s critical that you focus on the positive.
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