Are you lacking the motivation to practice piano? Has playing piano lost some of the excitement you used to feel?
I’ve been there, too. Practicing piano, like many things we do over and over again, can sometimes become dull and uninspiring.
But the good news is that you can bring the fun and enjoyment back to your piano practice!
1. Do some stretching before you sit down!
I know playing the piano doesn’t feel like exercise. And stretching doesn’t sound much like a tip for piano practice! But the reality is, the piano is exercise, and it’s very repetitive motion, at that. Stretching — especially your neck, back, and shoulders will help you be relaxed at the keyboard and make you feel fresher and more alert. It will help prevent repetitive stress injuries.
Make sure and do some full-body stretching too — tight hamstrings won’t help you're pedaling!
2. Be happy
Another offbeat practicing tip. And definitely easier to talk about than do.
But think about it for a second. Attitude impacts everything we do. Being upset or angry can turn even something we usually love to do into a chore.
So why make piano practice into drudgery by sitting down at the piano in a bad mood? Think about what time of day finds you in the best mood and with the most energy. Try scheduling your piano practice then, even if it’s a bit unconventional (as long as you’re not waking the neighbors in the wee hours of the morning!)
If practicing at a non-optimal time is unavoidable, spend a few minutes before you sit down at the piano relaxing. Do something you enjoy. Make a cup of coffee or tea. Look at your favorite pictures. Do some deep breathing. Read something inspirational — a great poem, scripture, or an email from a friend.
Whatever makes you feel great will help. Then take that feeling over to the piano, and your practice time will be more fun and more productive!
3. Start your practice with something you love to play
Are you in a practice rut? Warm-ups, scales, technique, repertoire… in that order?
Do you ever just sit and play something you love? Maybe it’s a top 40 song or ragtime; maybe it’s something simple you played when you were younger. Think about what you love to play, and start your practice there. Make it your warm-up — and your cool down at the end. Start and finish by playing what you love!
Your motivation will improve in a major way when practice includes not just what you need to work on but what you love to play. And you’ll feel terrific starting and ending your practice with success.
4. Create a piano practice ritual
Tip #3 above is about putting music you love to play into every piano practice session. But let’s take that a step further.
Why not create a whole practice experience that you love and look forward to every day? Rituals are simply repeated events done intentionally. Practice usually ends up more like a “have to.” So think about creating a practice ritual that will delight you. Fill it with good things.
Here’s part of what I do: First, I make a cup of herbal tea that I set on the desk next to my piano. I light my favorite candle. I turn off the overhead lights (I never like them) and turn on the lamps. I sort through music to find something I love to play and review what else I want to do during my practice.
These simple things make practicing a more enjoyable experience and are personally fulfilling. What would make your practice time more enjoyable for you?
5. Give yourself some space
Is your piano piled with stuff? Is the room messy? Do you have to work at moving things just to practice?
Clutter and mess are big distractions when you sit down to practice. It’s hard to concentrate and relax when you’re not in a neat environment.
Professional organizers talk about the first step to feeling better about your space being a thorough cleaning. If it’s been a while since your practice room (or living room, or guest room… wherever the piano is) got a good, old-fashioned cleaning, it’s worth the investment. You might be surprised at the positive effect it will have on your mood and your practice times!
Use these tips to breathe some fresh life into your piano practice. And enjoy playing! Even if you are the newest beginner, you’re already making music!
You may also like
4 Piano Playing PRO Tips You’ve Never Seen Before
Click here to learn more about the piano for all program
I’ve been there, too. Practicing piano, like many things we do over and over again, can sometimes become dull and uninspiring.
But the good news is that you can bring the fun and enjoyment back to your piano practice!
1. Do some stretching before you sit down!
I know playing the piano doesn’t feel like exercise. And stretching doesn’t sound much like a tip for piano practice! But the reality is, the piano is exercise, and it’s very repetitive motion, at that. Stretching — especially your neck, back, and shoulders will help you be relaxed at the keyboard and make you feel fresher and more alert. It will help prevent repetitive stress injuries.
Make sure and do some full-body stretching too — tight hamstrings won’t help you're pedaling!
2. Be happy
Another offbeat practicing tip. And definitely easier to talk about than do.
But think about it for a second. Attitude impacts everything we do. Being upset or angry can turn even something we usually love to do into a chore.
So why make piano practice into drudgery by sitting down at the piano in a bad mood? Think about what time of day finds you in the best mood and with the most energy. Try scheduling your piano practice then, even if it’s a bit unconventional (as long as you’re not waking the neighbors in the wee hours of the morning!)
If practicing at a non-optimal time is unavoidable, spend a few minutes before you sit down at the piano relaxing. Do something you enjoy. Make a cup of coffee or tea. Look at your favorite pictures. Do some deep breathing. Read something inspirational — a great poem, scripture, or an email from a friend.
Whatever makes you feel great will help. Then take that feeling over to the piano, and your practice time will be more fun and more productive!
3. Start your practice with something you love to play
Are you in a practice rut? Warm-ups, scales, technique, repertoire… in that order?
Do you ever just sit and play something you love? Maybe it’s a top 40 song or ragtime; maybe it’s something simple you played when you were younger. Think about what you love to play, and start your practice there. Make it your warm-up — and your cool down at the end. Start and finish by playing what you love!
Your motivation will improve in a major way when practice includes not just what you need to work on but what you love to play. And you’ll feel terrific starting and ending your practice with success.
4. Create a piano practice ritual
Tip #3 above is about putting music you love to play into every piano practice session. But let’s take that a step further.
Why not create a whole practice experience that you love and look forward to every day? Rituals are simply repeated events done intentionally. Practice usually ends up more like a “have to.” So think about creating a practice ritual that will delight you. Fill it with good things.
Here’s part of what I do: First, I make a cup of herbal tea that I set on the desk next to my piano. I light my favorite candle. I turn off the overhead lights (I never like them) and turn on the lamps. I sort through music to find something I love to play and review what else I want to do during my practice.
These simple things make practicing a more enjoyable experience and are personally fulfilling. What would make your practice time more enjoyable for you?
5. Give yourself some space
Is your piano piled with stuff? Is the room messy? Do you have to work at moving things just to practice?
Clutter and mess are big distractions when you sit down to practice. It’s hard to concentrate and relax when you’re not in a neat environment.
Professional organizers talk about the first step to feeling better about your space being a thorough cleaning. If it’s been a while since your practice room (or living room, or guest room… wherever the piano is) got a good, old-fashioned cleaning, it’s worth the investment. You might be surprised at the positive effect it will have on your mood and your practice times!
Use these tips to breathe some fresh life into your piano practice. And enjoy playing! Even if you are the newest beginner, you’re already making music!
You may also like
4 Piano Playing PRO Tips You’ve Never Seen Before
Click here to learn more about the piano for all program