Resolved: From Now On, I will Practice My Guitar

practice
Photo by Greg Gladman

Many times, you may have said to yourself, “I am going to practice every day from now on.” However, after an hour or so, you feel like you haven’t accomplished much. Maybe you manage to keep up for two days, but on the third day, something comes up, and for whatever reason, you miss your practice session. What should you do?

Suddenly, the world of practice doesn’t seem so exciting. It starts to feel like work and drudgery. The motivation that initially drove you to make that resolution seems to have disappeared.

This is a common occurrence in all fields and aspects of life. Whether it’s diet, exercise, writing, painting, or practicing an instrument, maintaining initiative requires a different kind of effort compared to simply showing up for work or school. This is especially true if you’re not a professional in those fields and, like work, you have to do it all day long.

Here are three ways to keep your interest in practicing guitar:

Try to do a small amount without overwhelming yourself. Don’t take on multiple tasks that will make you feel overwhelmed. Stick with practicing one scale or just one page from your music book. You can switch it up during your next session. By the end of the week, you will have covered your entire lesson in small pieces.
Set aside a regular time for practice. If you happen to miss that time, don’t panic. You can still find a couple of minutes before bedtime to squeeze in some practice. By consistently keeping your designated practice time, you can still be somewhat flexible when you miss it.
Listen to other guitar players; they can inspire you. Remember that listening to other instrumentalists can be just as inspiring.

Remember, consistency is your goal. The more consistent you become, the more practice will become a habit. When you change your approach and become more focused, your practice sessions will improve. The more focused you are, the better your practice will be.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME