By Christy | the Practicing Pro
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Hey there!
Let's chat about something exciting – how to supercharge your music practice and make it a blast!
You know, I've got a little personal story to share to start out. In just a few days, I'm heading off to Ireland for a three-week adventure with a dear friend I've been playing music with for 25 years. Our mission? To immerse ourselves in the incredible world of Irish Fiddle music! Now, neither of us really played Irish music a year or so ago. I mean, we dabbled in it here or there, BUT last year, after attending a weekend of classes with the renowned Irish fiddler, Kevin Burke, he mentioned at the end that he does music tours in Ireland. Well, we decided to just “go for it,” and we booked a music tour with him,
So now, over the past year, we've poured our hearts into learning this mesmerizing Irish style of playing… I took online classes with Kevin all year and even in person last summer for an additional week of intense study. This is a special chart my daughter made for me for Christmas last year. I had made the goal to know 40 Irish tunes I learned from Kevin before then….LOOK! This is what I have accomplished so far, and I still have a few more days to finish up tunes that are part way there, too!
And now, in just a few days, we're all set to play our hearts out in Irish pubs and explore the picturesque countryside. Plus, we'll be hanging out with Kevin, hearing his stories, and visiting the very places where he grew up and honed his craft. It's going to be a musical feast, my friend, and we're ready to play, play, and play some more! I can't wait! But really, this WHOLE YEAR has been a musical feast just preparing for this trip and my 40-tunes goal.
So, what's the secret sauce that helped me level up my musical game this past year with this example? Well, it's all about setting yourself up for success, just like when you're preparing for a big trip or tackling a personal challenge.
Let’s break down a goal into parts that will make it work. If you have one thing, and that’s just making the goal, that’s one step, but I’ll share with you other things that if you include in your goal - the chances of your success are higher or inevitable! I don't know about you, but when I make a goal, I mean business SO with making any goal, you also make a clear plan and set yourself up with your plan in a way to make you be successful!
**1. Find Your Why:** First things first, why do you want to play an instrument, why do you want to learn a certain style of music, why do you want to accomplish your goal? Is it the joy of creating music, the thrill of performing, or maybe it's to share that passion with your child or students? Understanding your motivation is like having your North Star – it'll guide you through the journey.
In my example, my WHY is to enjoy music, to practice with a goal so that I do practice and keep learning, to have something I am a master at to pass confidently on to my students, to have a memorable experience and spend time with my dear friend, to feel musical inspiration, to travel somewhere I haven’t been before and to be confident and a higher level Irish player and teacher.
**2. Embrace the Investment:** I have a great friend who has tried for years to lose weight on her own with little but not a lot of success. Recently, she decided to invest in a personal meal coach for her weight loss goals. It was expensive for this coach, who had a HUGE success rate, but she really wanted to have a healthier future. So, she made the financial commitment. The requirement for her goal was a year and the money was non-refundable. To pay the extra money for this service, she had to take on a side hustle job delivering groceries to people’s homes. Because she is making a financial commitment and has to do extra work two nights a week to pay for this coach, she is finding that she is dedicated to her investment and has lost a quarter of her weight already. Consider music lessons as an investment. Sometimes, you've got to put your money where your goals are, and sometimes, the cost of the lesson will also help you to be more successful. Committing to regular lessons, even if they stretch your budget a bit, can be a game-changer.
In my personal example - Going to Ireland was a huge cost and because of that, all year, I was extra careful with my finances and also practiced extra to make this investment even more worth it!
**3. Make a Solid Commitment:** Set clear, achievable goals. It could be nailing a specific song by a certain date, just like my goal of mastering 40 Irish tunes before my Ireland trip. Having these goals will keep you on track and motivated. I love a good chart and one that others ca see. All of my family and students know that I have made this goal and regularly check out my chart on the front of my music binder or even ask, “How many tunes now??” Their curiosity and encouragement have helped me SO MUCH.
**4. Team Up:** Ever notice how going to the gym with a buddy makes workouts more fun and consistent? The same goes for music. Partner up with a friend or find a group to practice or jam with. It adds that extra oomph to your musical journey.
In my case going on this music trip with my friend has made it so exciting! As the date to leave gets closer our friendship has also gotten closer as we plan our trip, what we will pack in tiny backpacks, and even counting down the days until we leave together.
**5. Build a Supportive Community:** Join group classes, attend rehearsals, or create your own musical community. Sharing your goals and progress with others makes the journey sweeter. Maybe treat yourselves to ice cream or meet at a cafe before or after each group class – make rewards that will keep you coming back!
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For me travelling last summer alone to a music festival week where I took classes with Kevin Burke also helped me meet new friends from all over, BC, Ontario, Connecticut and even my new friend NIKKI, from Whales that I might stay in contact with now as “Irish music learning friends” for years to come! We can keep sharing about our musical journeys, exchange tunes, and maybe even meet again down the road too!
And here's the magic part – these principles aren't just for you; they work wonders when teaching students. Set practice goals and offer meaningful rewards like attending a live concert, getting a new outfit for the next performance, or having a celebratory dinner with a friend who also shares the same goals.
Think about it – making practice engaging and rewarding isn't just about the music; it's about crafting an experience that fuels your passion. It's about building a supportive network that keeps you accountable and motivated.
So, if you've ever wondered how to make your musical journey more fulfilling and more successful, start with these principles. And who knows, you might just find yourself on an incredible musical adventure in Ireland or somewhere equally enchanting!
And speaking of boosting your musical journey, I've got something pretty fantastic to share with you – the Practicing Pro Academy! It's like the cherry on top of your musical adventure cake.
Here's the scoop: the Practicing Pro Academy is a digital course that we take together as a class for six weeks. That’s right – you won't be on this journey alone, like in many digital courses - you buy them and are left on your own, usually never finishing them, but not for PPA. There's a small, reasonable cost (nothing that'll break the bank), but trust me, it's worth every penny. Plus, there's a time limit that I’ll be there working with you IN PERSON to keep things exciting. We move through the course week by week, diving into each module together.
But here's the best part – at the end of each week, we have live ZOOM Q&A sessions. You can ask any questions that have been swirling in your head about the week's lessons and how they can apply directly to your personal home practices or in your teaching studio. It's like having your very own personal music coach on standby!
You can join the waitlist for the course HERE.
And remember, you won't be the only one making practicing goals and achieving them during the 6-week course! You'll have the chance to chat and collaborate with other passionate folks in the class. We all have one common goal that we're working towards during those six weeks; each person in the course chooses one or two things to change in their practicing and we all work on our goals together - and it's a powerful motivator. There is even a ZOOM “graduation” at the end that is so FUN and very inspiring at the end of each 6 weeks together.
Now, here's the thing – the Practicing Pro Academy opens up for registration only once a year, and it's in the fall. The registration window is pretty short, so if you miss it, you'll have to wait another whole year for this incredible opportunity. Don't let that happen! Jump on the waitlist right now to make sure you don't miss out by accident. Trust me, this could be the game-changer you've been looking for in your child, your students, or your own musical journey.
So, let's make some sweet music together with amazing practices this year, my friend. Join the waitlist, mark your calendar for the fall, and let's rock those instruments!
Check out my Free PDF download Checklist for a Successful Music Practice for teachers and practicing parents.
Your easy checklist for successful home music practices from Christy, the practicing pro. Whether you are a new or seasoned practice parent or music teacher, this checklist will help you organize before, during, and after practices for effective and fun practices.
INVITATION from Christy Hodder:
Speaking of amazing practices, let me tell you all about the digital course, the Practicing Pro Academy. This is for the serious practicing parents and music teachers and is an at-your-own-pace, step-by-step, online course to bring you more effective, positive, and fun home music practices. Registrants receive a special package in the mail from me, and I am with you in person with Q&As to answer all your questions.
Learn more about PPA and join the waitlist HERE for the next Practicing Pro Academy course. It's only offered once a year so you don't want to miss it. The registration will only open for a few weeks and I'll let everyone on the waitlist know immediately so that you can grab one of the spots.
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