Five Practice Tips to Kick off 2024!

Over the last few Near Years Eves, I’ve made attempts to look back at the previous year and reflect on what goals I’d hit in that 12 month span. This leads me to think about what goals I have in mind for the next year, but more importantly, what can be realistically achievable.

I’ve noticed that, at least for myself, my New Year’s resolutions seem to veer more towards ambitious than doable. But habits don’t need to begin with a huge life change. They can start small, with bite sized daily goals that help making the larger goals much more attainable.

For those of you looking to kick start your music related New Years with easy-to-achieve habits, here’s five tips to jump start your practice routine in 2024:

1. Place your instrument within eye sight at home!

After a long day of school or work, the temptation to go home and simply crash on the couch while watching your favorite TV show calls your name.

But I’ve noticed that when I set my instrument in-line of sight of my TV, the thought that typically enters my head is “well, maybe I could spend 15 quick minutes running through an exercise.”

It’s almost as if we’re reversing the phrase “out of sight; out of mind.” By simply placing an instrument within reaching distance, it could be encouragement enough to help you play it.

2. Create a micro practice routine

Just finished an episode of Stranger Things? Dying to know what happens next?

PAUSE. Set a five minute timer and run through a few quick scales.

Do this 3 times a day, and you get 15 minutes minimum practice, and you don’t even break a sweat while doing it. You can also use a music practice app.

3. Listen to music while doing an activity

Not all of practicing is performing your instrument. It’s important to build your own musical vocabulary so you can in then express yourself in the way you want to be expressed.

Got some dishes to do? Looking to play a few rounds of Fortnight? Try muting the TV and turning on a new Spotify playlist. You might just find the next song that’ll get you excited to learn your instrument!

You could also practice writing a song!

4. Accountability

Grab a group of friends or band mates or coworkers. Together, have a once a week meeting where you talk through your practice goals for that week.

Suddenly, practice might feel less isolated and more like a team exercise in getting better with your friends! Better yet, the more you practice as a group, the more likely you might be to start a project with one or two people.

5. Schedule a performance

Nothing quite gets someone in top performing shape like preparing for a show, whether that’s at your music school, at the local open mic, or at a festival. Having a tangible date for a performance forces you to choose what song(s) you want to showcase, which then gives you a deadline for when the performance needs to be ready.

Plus, while you’re practicing your set list, you can also practice some of your stage presence to help keep the crowd engaged while you perform.