We have all heard the saying that “practice makes perfect,” and nothing can be more true. To master anything, it is vital to practice. When it comes to music, whether playing an instrument, singing, or even composing, practice is the key to improvement and mastery. However, practice takes firm commitment as well because it takes time and effort. Oftentimes, you may find yourself putting it off for another time.
Still, there is no way you can expect to enhance your skills if you do not have a regular practice schedule that you follow. The best musicians have gone through a lot of practicing to get to where they are. Instrumentalists train themselves to focus when they practice, to get better each time they play.
For example, it takes practice for a banjo player to perfect those banjo rolls to come up with a unique sound.
Below are some useful techniques to help you practice your musical instrument.
Stop procrastinating
Once you have set a schedule to practice, do your best to follow it. Avoid employing delaying tactics, thinking of other things to do when you should be studying instead. If you are committed to becoming a good instrumentalist, you should keep in mind that practice is the only way to achieve your goal. Prepare your music sheets, tune your instrument, and get everything ready and in front of you, an hour or so before your schedule. That way, you will be more motivated to get started and focus on your instrument.
Learn how to be patient
The reason why you practice is to improve. However, you cannot expect to get everything right quickly. You will always encounter challenges and make mistakes. It is normal to get frustrated, but this should push you, even more, to work harder. There is nothing you cannot achieve if you set your mind to it and work hard. By practicing regularly, you will notice improvements in the way you play. Be patient, and things will get better soon enough.
Get inspired
You may have a favorite musician who inspires you, and you would want to emulate. This source of inspiration is also your motivation to practice and improve. Listen to their music as often as you can. Watch their music videos and study their performance. If you are inspired by their music, you will find yourself more drawn to your instrument, and learning how to make it sound the way they do.
Enjoy your practice sessions
You may find it challenging to enjoy the hard work you put into mastering your instrument. Nevertheless, you can find ways to do so. When you look forward to being able to play pieces you enjoy, you can also be more eager to practice. As you go through your sessions regularly, you will also find improvements that will push you to work harder as you go along. Music is enjoyable, and making music is even more so.
Keep in mind that when you practice, you improve. You will have more confidence in yourself as you get better, and will soon be playing your favorite music by heart.