You’ve been practicing everything you’ve been told to practice. You’ve been reading the books and watching the Youtube videos. You’ve been listening to the music and transcribing the solos, but you just can’t hear or feel yourself getting better.
Frustrating, isn’t it?
Can I suggest that the problem you’re having may not be linked to your physical ability, but to your mindset instead?
We usually don’t stop to think of this, but the way we choose to do anything (including music) is a result of the mindset we have towards it.
Many people foster a mindset that ends up stunting their growth, making them feel like they can’t get better.
In this post, we are going to talk about 4 thoughts that may be limiting your potential, and how shifting your mindset will help.
Music Is Too Hard
Does this statement sound familiar to you? Is it something you’ve said before?
If yes, then it is most likely one of the things stopping you from getting better.
If your parents were anything like mine, they would have warned you about being cautious about your words and thoughts because they are powerful. They weren’t lying though, because there is a lot of proof that these things do affect you.
Your thoughts influence your behaviour, so if you think that music is difficult, your mind will do whatever it takes to make it difficult for you.
It may sound strange, but that is how our brains work. Positive thoughts bring positive emotions and negative thoughts bring negative emotions.
You must maintain a positive mindset if you want to keep getting better at music.
Practicing is Boring
If you think practicing is boring, then that’s exactly what it will be.
Yes, it is repetitive and time consuming, but it is also important.
We all have an image of what we want to sound like in our head, and the only way we can get there and maintain it is by practicing.
It is just like staying fit.
Workouts will leave you in (temporary) pain, and having to adjust your diet is usually a drag, but health and longevity will always be worth it because it hurts even more to be sick.
In music, practice may leave you “sore”, but the outcome is being able to express yourself freely, which makes all the effort worth it.
Next time you hit the “shed”, think about the outcome of your practice instead of how boring it may be.
Think of how much better you will feel when you’re able to execute what you’ve been working on flawlessly. Focus on this feeling while you practice.
I can assure you that the time you spend in the shed will become more bearable and perhaps fun!
I Will Never Be Able To Play Like…
I actually think that’s great! Why would you ever want to play like anyone else?
Usually when musicians start playing, they find idols that they “want to play like” which sounds innocent, until they consider quitting music because they can’t play piano as virtuosically as Martha Argerich, or weave bebop lines together like Charlie Parker.
Imagine if Charlie beat himself up for not being able to play like someone else. He wouldn’t be the same saxophonist that thousands of musicians and jazz lovers admire to this day.
The musicians we admire are not meant to be imitated or compared to anyone. They are meant to be sources of inspiration.
The way that your idols play or improvise should inspire you to take what you like from them and make it your own.
There is no reason to be frustrated if you can’t play like them. You’re not supposed to play like them. YOU’RE supposed to play like YOU!
I’m Not Ready (To Perform)
It is okay to feel nervous before a performance, but nervousness and a lack of self-confidence are two totally different things.
Low self-confidence has caused countless musicians to miss out on life-changing opportunities.
Social media doesn’t make it any easier at all. We now have easy access to thousands of musicians that sound way better than us, and this is usually discouraging.
What we need to realise is that musicians only put the best of their playing online. You have no idea how many times they messed it up before they finally got it right. You have no idea if that’s the only thing they can play or if they can play anything else.
When you don’t have confidence in yourself and your abilities, it shows in your demeanour, and subsequently in your playing.
People pick up on these things and can decide not to take you seriously because of it.
If you can’t believe in yourself, why would you expect other people to believe in you?
Always believe in yourself and do your best. Music is a competitive industry, but you should not be competing with anyone except yourself.
What Should I Do?
If you’re a pianist and any of these thoughts resonated with you, I have something that can help you even further.
I have recently written a book with over 100 tips + 9 essays to help you cultivate a mindset that will get you out of your rut in no time.
It’s called “Music Common Sense: For Keyboardists” and it has tips on topics from playing in bands to your creating your own personal philosophy as a musician.
Get it on Amazon by clicking the button below:
