---
title: "Why should I practice?"

description: "It's time to rethink our relationship to practice."

status: complete

date: 2021-10-25

kind: solo

guestSlugs: []

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Why-should-I-practice-e18rklm"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-should-i-practice/id1567355195?i=1000539632057"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/2tRVucbpSGakYz5AdPyrX2"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Creativity"
  - "Reframing Practice"
  - "Goal-Based Practice"
  - "Improv in Practice"
  - "Groove and Timing"
  - "Making Practice Fun"
  - "Creative Expression"
  - "Analyzing Your Playing"
  - "Overcoming Resistance to Practice"
  - "Balancing Structure and Play"
  - "Continuous Growth as a Musician"

hostNote: |
  In this episode, I take a deep dive into the often-uncomfortable concept of practice for musicians. I explore how traditional views of practice can feel restrictive and even daunting, and how reframing practice as a goal-based and playful activity can transform your relationship with music. I share personal insights into my journey, making the case that practice doesn't have to be a chore, it can be an exciting exploration of creativity and expression.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "Introducing Practice Context"
    startSec: 0
    note: "I introduce the concept of practice and its negative connotations for many musicians."
  - label: "Defining Personal Goals"
    startSec: 135
    note: "I discuss my personal goals in music and how they shape his practice approach."
  - label: "Improvisation Over Scales"
    startSec: 184
    note: "I emphasize the importance of improvisation instead of rote scale practice."
  - label: "Playing with a Metronome"
    startSec: 316
    note: "The idea of treating a metronome as a musical collaborator rather than just a timing tool."
  - label: "Creating a State of Play"
    startSec: 677
    note: "Encouragement to make practice enjoyable and fun as a path to improvement."
  - label: "Recording to Analyze Progress"
    startSec: 312
    note: "Exploring the benefits of recording practice sessions for self-assessment."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "When you bring up practice to a lot of musicians, it instantly feels icky. It's like, I don't want to do that. It's a chore now."
    startSec: 89
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Step one for me is to define what you want to do. Where do you want to go?"
    startSec: 45
    reviewed: true
  - text: "My goal is to be interesting. My goal is to be myself. My goal is to be fluent and be able to play with other musicians in a really compelling way."
    startSec: 140
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Instead of playing scales to a metronome, I'm improvising to a metronome."
    startSec: 189
    reviewed: true
  - text: "What you're trying to do is trying to make that metronome groove as though it's like a cowbell or a clave."
    startSec: 320
    reviewed: true
  - text: "If your goal is to write songs, just learn the things that you need to write songs, be around great songs, and then write a bunch of bad songs."
    startSec: 453
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "Why is practice often viewed negatively by musicians?"
    answer: "Practice is often viewed negatively because it can feel like a chore rather than a creative exploration."
  - question: "How can I make my practice sessions more enjoyable?"
    answer: "Incorporating improvisation and goal-centered activities can help make practice feel more like play and less like a task."
  - question: "What should my practice goals be?"
    answer: "Your practice goals should reflect what you want to achieve in music, whether it's learning scales, writing songs, or developing your individual style."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---