#musicalinstruments — Public Fediverse posts

How to Enjoy Practicing Again

Every musician experiences seasons when practice feels exciting—and seasons when it feels like a chore. Losing motivation doesn’t mean you’ve lost your passion. More often, it means your routine needs a fresh approach.

As a music instructor and mentor, I’ve seen students rediscover their love for music after making a few intentional changes. The goal isn’t simply to practice more—it’s to practice in a way that keeps you engaged, challenged, and inspired.

Here are a few practical ways to make practice enjoyable again.

1. Remember Why You Started

Think back to what first inspired you to learn music. Was it a song that moved you, a musician you admired, or the joy of making music?

Reconnecting with your purpose can reignite your passion.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Trying to master everything at once can become overwhelming.

Instead, focus on one objective at a time: learn a new chord progression, master a difficult passage, improve your rhythm, memorize one verse of a song.

Small victories build momentum and keep you motivated.

3. Add Variety to Your Practice

Avoid doing the same routine every day.

Mix your sessions by including: technique exercises, ear training, sight-reading, improvisation, learning a favourite song, playing or singing with backing tracks or other musicians.

Variety keeps practice fresh and enjoyable.

4. Celebrate Progress

Don’t focus only on how far you still have to go. Take time to appreciate how much you’ve already improved.

Record yourself occasionally and compare your progress over time. Growth is often easier to hear when you look back.

5. Practice with Others

Music is meant to be shared. Join a choir, play or sing in a band, rehearse with friends, or participate in group lessons. Making music with others often renews enthusiasm and builds confidence.

6. Create a Consistent Routine

You don’t need to practice for hours every day.

Even 20–30 minutes of focused practice can produce remarkable progress when done consistently. A sustainable routine is far more effective than occasional marathon sessions.

7. Be Patient with Yourself

Some days will feel productive, while others may not. That’s part of learning.

Don’t let one difficult practice session discourage you. Progress is measured over weeks and months, not by a single day.

Conclusion

The joy of music isn’t found only in reaching your goals—it’s found in the journey of becoming better with every practice session.

When you practice with purpose, curiosity, and consistency, the routine becomes more than an obligation. It becomes an opportunity to grow, create, and discover new possibilities.

Fall in love with the process, and the results will follow.

Reflection

What one change could you make this week that would make your practice sessions more enjoyable and more meaningful?

“The musicians who enjoy the journey are the ones who stay long enough to discover how far their dedication can take them. Learn to love the process, and excellence will become a natural result.” — Victor Adenola

The Perfect Instrument to Start With

One of the first questions aspiring musicians and parents ask is, “Which instrument is the best to start with?”

The answer may be surprising: there is no single perfect instrument—only the right instrument for the right learner.

As a music instructor and mentor, I’ve taught students who began with the piano, guitar, drums, violin, saxophone, and voice. I’ve discovered that success depends less on the instrument itself and more on the learner’s interest, commitment, and quality of instruction.

The best instrument is one that inspires you to keep learning.

1. Start with Your Interest

Passion is a powerful motivator.

If you enjoy the sound of the violin, you’ll be more excited to practice it. If you’re fascinated by the drums or inspired by the piano, let that interest guide your decision.

Learning becomes more enjoyable when you genuinely love the instrument.

2. Consider Your Goals

Ask yourself these questions;

• Do you want to play in a church band or orchestra?
• Do you dream of becoming a music producer?
• Would you like to accompany yourself while singing?
• Are you preparing for music examinations or a professional career?

Your goals can help determine the most suitable starting point.

3. The Piano Is an Excellent Foundation

If you’re unsure where to begin, the piano is one of the best instruments to start with.

It helps you understand: Music Theory, Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Ear training, and Sight-reading.

Many professional musicians who play other instruments first developed their musical foundation through the piano.

4. Every Instrument Develops Unique Skills

Each instrument offers something valuable:

• Piano builds a strong overall musical foundation.
• Voice develops musicianship and expressive communication.
• Guitar is versatile and ideal for accompaniment and songwriting.
• Drums strengthen rhythm, timing, and coordination.
• Violin develops precision, listening skills, and musical sensitivity.
• Saxophone enhances breath control, tone production, and musical expression.

There is no “superior” instrument—each contributes to your growth in different ways.

5. Choose Commitment Over Convenience

The instrument you choose is only the beginning.

Progress comes through consistent practice, quality instruction, patience, discipline, and willingness to learn from mistakes

A committed learner will often achieve more than someone with a better instrument but little dedication.

Conclusion

The perfect instrument is not simply the one that looks impressive or is most popular. It is the one that aligns with your passion, supports your goals, and motivates you to keep growing.

Don’t spend months searching for the “perfect” instrument while delaying your musical journey. Start where you are, learn with intention, and allow your skills to grow one lesson at a time.

The instrument may begin your journey—but your dedication will determine where it leads.

Reflection

If you could begin learning any instrument today without fear or limitation, which one would you choose, and what first step can you take this week?

“The perfect instrument is not the one you admire from a distance, but the one you are willing to learn with patience, discipline, and consistency.” — Victor Adenola

"Musical Bodies is the first major exhibition to explore the relationship between musical instruments and the body by bringing together some 130 instruments, paintings, sculptures, drawings, and more to illuminate how we express who we are, what we value, and what we believe."

https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/musical-bodies

#music #MusicalBodies #exhibition #art #MusicalInstruments #METMuseum

New on my #blog: https://aspi.blog/2026/07/10/iyers-insipid-india/
A look at what has been happening to the Indian men's #cricket team in a series of #T20Is in first #Ireland and then #England plus a #photo gallery that is effectively a highlights package of the last month or so since I returned from holiday.
#IrelandvIndia #IREvIND #EnglandvIndia #ENGvIND #photography #birds #insects #bees #butterflies #damselflies #demoiselles #CinnabarMoth #RedAdmiral #EuropeanPeacock #PaintedLady #Comma #CaviesAndCake #NorfolkSymphonyOrchestra #RelaxedConcert #MusicalInstruments

My thoughts on "The lost #pianos of #Siberia": I'm mainly jealous of the quixotic book title, not so much of the actual endeavours on the wrong side of the Ural mountains ... https://proseandpassion.blogspot.com/2026/05/pianos-lost-and-found.html

#bookreview #travelwriting #nonFiction #musicalInstruments

Spotted on Calishat Snaps: PianoReader.app. From the announcement post: “There are a lot of piano ‘tutorial’ videos out there, but most of them aren’t step-by-step walkthroughs. They mostly look like falling raindrops that light up piano keys. These tutorials are often made with a tool called Synthesia. I’ve struggled with these videos because I can’t keep up with the falling notes or […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/08/30/pianoreader-app/

#crowdfunding in support of the lovely #HobGoblin music stores is now live - in the two months since the first announcement I managed to lose my passport for the crowdcube page ... https://hobgoblin.com/community/be-a-part-of-our-story/ #musicalInstruments #folk

5-5-24 Sketch Daily: Didgeridoo / Ceramics / Mermay

#sketchdaily #dailydraw #painting #inkdrawing #watercolor #watercolorpainting #ink #paint #artisttradingcard #drawing #sketch #mermay #mermay2024 #mermaid #didgeridoo #musicalinstruments #music #ceramic #tea #teapot

I have a co-worker with me at my desk right now.

In other news, my stomach is in revolt at the moment. Fun. It’s a gastric bypass side effect kind of thing and it will pass, but I just gagged up some icky stuff and had a full blown case of “the foamies” (look it up). Having said that, there is no complaint here. I ate my lunch too fast and my new redesigned digestive system slapped me on the wrist for it. Post operation side effects like this are 100% worth it, I promise you. Trust me, it’s not an issue at all.

In other other news, I checked the bookfayce page of the Luthier I brought my guitar to last Saturday and earlier today he posted a bunch of pictures showing the progress he’s made. There are pictures of my beloved Gibson ES-335 Pro without any frets, pictures of it with some new frets, and a picture of the neck with a full boat’s worth of lovely, shiny new frets. It still needs a new nut and a new bridge, and he didn’t mention anything about cleaning out the electronics (which is a major bitch of a job to do on an ES-335 as you have to squeeze everything in and out through the F-hole), but the new frets are in! I don’t know if I will share any of the photos he posted. I think I did when he worked on my Les Paul Custom, but not until a few days had past. We’ll see.

Try to picture this guitar with shiny new frets:

In other other other news, I am listening to Steve Hackett’s new album, which was released today. It is called The Circus and the Nightwhale. I am listening while I work and therefore not able to give it my full attention. My initial gut reaction though is this: Steve Hackett’s guitar playing gets exponentially better with each passing day. His songwriting improves in a similar manner. His singing… yeah, he’s better than he used to be but sometimes I still wish he’d hire a full time singer for his recording line up. I’m enjoying the new album. Check it out.

Okay, that’s it for this post. Lunch break is over. My stomach is settling down. Get back to work, Red Head!

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/02/16/co-worker-6/

#iphoneography #photography #Music #Guitar #Cat #Kitty #health #GibsonES335Pro #SteveHackett #workFromHome #telecommute #genesis #gibsonEs335 #luthier #guitarMaintenance #frets #weightLossSurgery #gastricBypass #es335 #sideEffects #theFoamies #musicalInstruments #foamies #guitarRepairs #robin #refret #choosingALuthier #gibsonEs335 #guitarRefret #newAlbum #newRelease #newAlbumDay #newReleaseDay #theCircusAndTheNightwale

Get the band ready for tonight!
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Wurlitzer ad 1928
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#Music #Wurlitzer #advertisement #MusicalInstruments #Retro #Vintage

#DavidMunrow plays the #Didjeridoo (1976) from the #BBCTV series '#AncestralVoices'

"#Munrow propounded the theory that #EarlyMusic must have had the passion and vibrancy of #FolkMusic, played today by #IndigenousPeople."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lycAuWvATb4&ab_channel=DavidGriffith

#Music #Instrument #Instruments #MusicalInstrument #MusicalInstruments #Horn #Aboriginal #AboriginalMusic #AboriginalInstrument #Australian #Australia #History #MusicHistory #BBC #BBCTelevision

Herbert Deutsch, Co-Creator of the Moog Synthesizer, Dies at 90 - An experimental composer, Mr. Deutsch collaborated with Robert Moog to create the first s... - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/16/arts/music/herbert-deutsch-dead.html #deutschherbert(1932-2022) #nineteenhundredsixties #inventionsandpatents #deaths(obituaries) #musicalinstruments #electronics #moogrobert #moogmusic #music

#DrumMachine made from #clogs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbJprwzZu8Q&ab_channel=LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER

#LMNC #LookMumNoComputer #SamBattle #MusicalInstruments #Music #ElectronicMusic #MIDI

Dave Smith, Whose Synthesizers Shaped Electronic Music, Dies at 72 - His innovations included the first polyphonic, programmable synthesizer and the universal... - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/08/arts/music/dave-smith-dead.html #nineteenhundredeighties #smithdave(1950-2022) #inventionsandpatents #deaths(obituaries) #sequentialcircuits #musicalinstruments #popandrockmusic #synthesizers #midi