I Don’t Wanna Practice!

How many times have you heard this phrase? How many times have you said this phrase? I know I’m supposed to practice, but I don’t want to. Here are some tactics to get over that hump.

How many times have you heard this phrase? How many times have you said this phrase? I know I’m supposed to practice, but I don’t want to. Here are some tactics to get over that hump.

My big jar of big candy on my piano. The metronome is in the background.

Prevention

First of all, let’s talk about prevention. While everyone gets in a practicing funk sometimes, it’s best to prevent the lack of motivation if at all possible. The way to prevent this is to always end your practice with a song that you know and enjoy. You’re ending your practice on a good note, which sends, “Practicing is fun!” signals to your brain.

The Big Piece of Candy

This is for when you know you will be fine with practicing once you start, it’s just starting that’s the problem. Have some big pieces of candy (jawbreakers, ring pops, etc) next to your practicing area. When you’re done practicing, you get to have a piece of candy.

Little Pieces of Candy

This is for when you are having a hard time getting yourself to practice the right things. You line up M&Ms, Skittles, or whatever you love, and it’s one candy for each item. If you want to practice a certain piece of music twice, you put up two pieces of candy. Eat them as you go.

If you’re playing a wind instrument, make sure to swish your mouth out with water after eating each piece of candy. This method is from Lara Moldenhauer.

Seeing the candy lined up is powerful. If you don’t want to eat while you’re playing, you can put them in a cup and eat them afterwards.

The Two Stand Method

This is for when you’ve lost all the joy of practice. Practice has become a chore. Create two stacks of music – one that you’re supposed to play, and the other that is music that you already know. Alternate between the two stacks of music. It will bring back the joy of playing and remind you of how far you’ve come. This method is from Jennifer Cluff.

The Bossy Friend/Parent

This one is very simple, but it works. It’s for when you’re having a hard time starting, but you know you’ll be fine once you start. Call your bossiest friend or parent and have them order you to practice. They’ll enjoy it and it’ll get you going.

The Alarm

This is for the forgetful people (Guilty!). Set an alarm for a certain time of day to remind yourself to practice. It will become automatic eventually, and this way you’re fitting it into your schedule.

Schedule a Gig

Scheduling a performance will be enough of a motivating factor to get you into the practice room. It will create an intrinsic motivation (motivation from inside of you) because you don’t want to look like a fool for not practicing.

Need ideas for creating a performance?

  1. Ask to play for church.
  2. Sign up for a competition.
  3. Sign up for a performance at a museum at Christmas.
  4. Join a new ensemble.
  5. Find a production for which you need to try out.
  6. Create a recital of your music.

How about you? Are there any tricks that you do to make yourself practice?

Author: Tarah

I started playing flute in 1988 and piano in 1991. In 1996, my high school chose me to teach flute and piano to a partner grade school. I was chosen for a similar program in college. Tarah Schoell has always loved sharing her music and guiding others to learn new things. Because of this, she went to college to be a music teacher and has a B.S. in Elementary Education with a Concentrate in Music from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. Tarah uses her music education degree to teach from her flute and piano studio, play in various professional and community ensembles, and run a blog on practice techniques at thequarternotes.com. She is active in the Omaha Music Teacher’s Association because she likes to support her fellow music teachers and use the monthly continuing education opportunities.

16 thoughts on “I Don’t Wanna Practice!”

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    1. I’m assuming you’re talking about the one with small pieces of candy? If the idea of swishing your mouth out after each piece isn’t enough, maybe you could put a piece of candy in a cup as you go and eat them all at the end.

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