What new year resolutions should musicians/music students make?

Posted byMusic Feeds SoulPosted inPractice
2–3 minutes

New year resolutions are a great way to cultivate new habits in  students’ practice routine. A few important things to consider in order to succeed in the endeavor of changing habits are:

  1. Do it consistently- These days we find people following a streak for every new thing they want to bring into their routine. This is exactly what you need to do in order to stay consistent.
  2. Take small steps to achieve bigger goals- Design your new year resolutions with small baby steps leading you into a bigger goal. For e.g., if your practice goal is to include technique in each practice session, use scales to warm up before you dive in the fun stuff i.e..playing the repertoire
  3. Write it down- Most people miss this one and are not successful in achieving their new year goals. Document it and have it in front of you all the time; on your desk, your laptop wallpaper etc. This will help you stay connected and focussed on your goal.
  4. Set SMART goals- S- Specific, M- Measurable, A- Achievable, R- Relevant, T- Timebound
  5. Enjoy the journey- The process of personal growth is ongoing. Celebrate your efforts and embrace the journey of self-improvement.

Dedication fuels progress in piano. Every student must consider writing down the *why* for learning to play the piano. This can help them discover their own new year resolutions.

Here are the examples of what new year resolutions students can take:

  1. Practice consistently
  2. Listen to the interpretations of various pianists for the pieces you are working on
  3. Focus on technique and musicianship (sight reading and ear training) and incorporate it in practice sessions regularly
  4. Discover different genres such as jazz and blues, or pop
  5. Warm up before playing
  6. Track your progress by using a practice journal
  7. Explore new repertoire
  8. Play for others i.e. practice performing and sharing your music
  9. Use a metronome to achieve steady beat
  10. Study music theory appropriate to your level
  11. Record yourself playing regularly and analyze your recordings to identify and address technical and musical issues.

These are just a few ideas that can help students progress well. It is important that you write down your resolutions in as much detail as you can. Remember to keep them “SMART” as mentioned earlier in this article.

Happy Practicing! Happy 2025!

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