Whether it's work or that DIY job you wished you never started, staying motivated can be a challenge. I believe the key to staying motivated is simply down to enjoyment and the desire to reach your aim. As soon as that evaporates, walk away and find a new path. Learning to play the piano is certainly a test. You'll have bad days. You'll want to give up. But with the right mix of 'this and that', those feelings of negativity will soon pass. So what is 'this and that'? Well, please read on...
Find the right teacher
Oh, this is an important one. I believe you really need to 'gel' with your teacher because, in a way, you do form a relationship with them. The teacher should care for your aspirations and be genuine. Not simply see you as just another student coming into their music room, conveyor belt style.
A piano teacher should be creative and inspirational, one that challenges you and has bags of patience and praise. They need to understand your learning goals and be flexible towards them too. You need to feel relaxed and enjoy your time with them. Think back to your school days and remember the qualities of those inspirational teachers. Try and find a teacher with those same qualities that speak to you.
Learn the music you love, stay inspired by others
This has to be one of the core reasons why you want to learn to play the piano. You love the sound and you love the music the piano can produce. We all feel inspired by the music we listen to, so whatever genre or style it is, switch on the radio, get downloading or even visit a concert. It can even be a little extract from a TV boxset, my latest student request being from 'The Leftovers'. There will be times when we'll have to learn a piece that we may not enjoy (I'll get to that in a moment), but overall, if our learning journey reflects the type of music we love, the more motivated we will feel to continue and conquer not matter how tricky the music is.
Avoid 'Greensleeves'. Or perhaps not?
I hated that piece. With a passion. But I had to learn it as a child, and I did. And what did it teach me? Perseverance. It's quite important to learn a piece that may not be musically pleasing but, as your teacher may insist, it will introduce you to a new skill such as a particular finger technique or chord sequence. There will be a good reason behind it so work with your patience. "Stick with it, you'll learn from it and it'll make you a better player - you got this!!!"
Create space and set a good routine
Where your (in-good-working-order) piano is situated is very important. Ideally, it should be in a comfortable space away from any distraction. The area should be well lit - don't put your piano next to the radiator! Invest in a good bench too. I'm lucky to teach from a dedicated music room overlooking my garden which has plenty of natural light. It's a pleasant place to sit, relax and play. I also have a good quality speaker nearby to stream music for further inspiration. Always try and make your space as inviting as possible.
As for setting a good routine to practice, check out this previous blog post for tips to keep motivation levels high.
"Remind me the reason again, why you want to learn?"
It maybe that it's always been on your bucket list or you have a specific piece to learn. Perhaps it's a social reason, to play music with others? Or is it to help unwind the mind and enjoy a private, musical moment to yourself? Whatever your reason or goal - and they all vary from person to person - keep that reason fresh in your head. Remind yourself of that reason regularly and it will reinvigorate you to reach your goal.
These are just a few tips on how to stay motivated when learning the piano. It will be hard at first but setting short and long term goals and reminding yourself of them frequently will keep you firmly sat at the keys. Make the space inviting, play for your friends and family, keep those ears open.
Comentarios