10 Ways to feel more supported in your musical development

girl plays flute

So you are learning to play your musical instrument – congratulations – and now you are feeling a lack of support for it?
The most important decision here is to be your own support.
Waiting for your music teacher ( or anyone else)  to say what you need to hear doesn’t empower you.
Keep a notebook, and write your concerns as a question and ask your teacher about it at your next lesson.

Here are 10 tips to help you move towards the wonderful musical life you are dreaming of.

Have a wall behind you when you play. In this image, it looks like he has a wall behind him and is supported, whereas it looks like her back is open to whoever might walk up behind her.  If this is correct, I would suggest the piano is moved around so she has the wall behind her and can look out, without turning around.

Good lighting. Natural light from the windows or a daylight bulb in a lamp, so you can see clearly.

 

 

Enough fresh air, from windows or indoor plants eg Peace Lily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sound in.  No sound disturbance from your household or neighbours noise

Sound out. No sound disturbance made towards your household or your neighbours. Stay within the local authority boundaries.

 

Distraction.  Ideally, your piano would be in it’s own room, away from the remainder of the household or other occupants. TV and or computer devices, siblings, tasks undone – many things can be a mental distraction, so it’s better to have them in a different room. It’s a good idea to keep a notebook and pen beside your instrument, so you can make a note of anything that comes into your mind while you are practising. Then you can return to practise, knowing that the reminder is there when you finish. Sometimes we can sabotage ourselves with the idea that things are more important, when most of the time they really aren’t.

 

 

Be your own support. That is, what you tell yourself about your playing becomes the truth over time.  Choose what you want to feel and who you want to be about this.  Build yourself up.  Be your own best friend. If you can find other people who support you too.  Make a choice to be each other’s support buddies.

 

 

 

Place a gorgeous photo of yourself playing, and looking joyful and confident, beside where you practise.  It’s amazing how looking at this is a powerful reminder of the truth of you!

 

Time in nature is a wonderful balance to being indoors doing the mental work of practise.  This is a way to support yourself

Woman playing flute in flower field

Knowing yourself well matters

Always have a clear goal you want to achieve for your next practise or playing session.  The goal can be simply to enjoy playing the music you love, or, it can be something more challenging. It’s up to you each day.

Pamela Jordan is an experienced musician teacher mentor in Sydney, Australia.
She is available for inspiring music sessions via Zoom on Australian Eastern time.

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