We all have “those days.” Days when everything is a struggle. Days when we are so busy or exhausted that things like exercising or doing the dishes are put off till “later.” Adults have these kinds of days. But what we often forget is that kids and teens have these days too; except when a child or teen has an off day, they put off things like homework, or practicing their piano.
Learning the piano needs discipline and a bit of hard work, whether you are 3 years old or 83 years old. When laziness looms, follow the tips below to help get yourself (or your child) out of your funk and get your daily practicing in.
STEP 1:
Give yourself a break. Keep your body relaxed and your mind free from frustrations. Think about why you should practice, and what your specific goals are for this particular practice session.
STEP 2:
The hardest part is STARTING! Pick one section to start with and decide what your goal will be for that section. A Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” This is true in playing piano! More often than not, once you start working on that first section, you’ll keep going. Before you know it, you’ll have finished your practicing for the day!
STEP 3:
Make small and large goals, and work towards them.
Start with small goals: “I will learn the first section of this peice by the end of the week.”
Small goals will lead to larger goals: “I will have this peice performance ready for our next recital/talent show/family gathering.”
We hear from students and parents after every recital, all saying the same thing: “Having this recital as a goal has really motivated my child/me to work harder.”
Whether your larger goal is for a music recital or simply having a peice ready for the next time your family is in town, one thing remains true: setting both small and large goals will increase your effectiveness and enjoyment.
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