When your desire to practice dwindles?

You are taking guitar lessons and everything seem to be going well, then one day things change. You suddenly find yourself in a place where the last thing you want to do is practice! What do you do when your desire to practice dwindles? It’s a good question, and sooner or later you may be in a place where you may be asking yourself that question too. At some point in every musician’s life you are faced with a season that challenges your desire to practice.

I teach guitar lessons in Cary, NC and I meet with students varying in age and styles on a regular basis. In order for me to be an effective guitar teacher I have to learn how each student learns. One of my biggest goals have always been to meet the student where they’re at, and to harbor and instill a love for music. You will constantly hear me say that unless you are passionate about something  it will be very hard for you to grow and develop as a musician. That concept is actually one that you can apply to various facets of your life.

So, what happens when the passion starts dwindling? A pastor friend of my wife used to say that when you lose your way just go back to the place where you last had a course set. Often, in that place you will once again find the fire you lost.

I tell my students to tell me when they reach the place of overload and loss of passion. I have to be a safe place, and I have to keep it real. Even as a professional musician I have been to the place where the last thing I wanted to do was practice! I love music with all of my heart! But there are times when the busy-ness of life, or the cares and worries of life gets to me.

The first thing I do is Stop!

Stop what you are currently doing! Scale back and find some fun things you can play. Let’s go simple!

Throw the heavy hard practice out the window.

For a little bit just focus on what’s fun. Music is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Music is not some rigorous training camp! Then, we look at all of the different things that they are doing and find a different approach. Maybe we put scales on the shelf for a little bit. Or, I’ll find a different way for them to practice scales. Or let’s put scales on the shelf completely and just do some chord practice, or work on some fun rhythms. Maybe we step away from it all and just focus on songwriting for a little bit.

There are so many different ways to go at this, and if you do, you’ll find that all of a sudden passion starts returning! Before you know it, the joy of why you started this journey in the first place returns.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Stepping away from your instrument for a few weeks might actually work!  Sometimes that might be just what the doctor ordered. It may sound extreme but. if its the cure it’ll be worth it.

A modern definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. Its important to be willing to change things up some times in order to keep the flame of passion burning and get better results.

So if you find yourself in the frustrating place don’t be scared! Try something completely different and see what happens!

Most important thing to remember is: Music is meant to be fun! Here is a fun article I found that maybe give you some extra thought. (Click here)

I give beginner guitar lessons in Cary, NC. I would love to help you start your musical journey!