Practicing can be great fun, especially when there is a clear goal in mind which you are eager to reach. For example, practicing your own songs for recording or transcribing a new song that just inspires you.
Practicing can also be a pain in the ass though. Everyone has bad days once in a while and struggling with a particularly hard exercise while the malevolent click of the metronome stresses you to stay tight can be annoying.
Regardless, it is important to practice or play most days of the week. Here are eight good reasons for that, in no particular order.
- You get better with every session. Progress may seem slow sometimes but given you have a suited practice plan, you are improving.
- There is a lot to cover. There are countless topics to explore in music and an instrument. The more time you spent, the more you can learn.
- Fast progress. Practicing every day gets you better fast. You know what you did yesterday, you will do better today, better than that tomorrow, … It’s a snowball effect. The more days you skip in between, the weaker this effect becomes.
- Practicing becomes a ritual. Start your practice sessions at the same time and do them for the same amount of time on most days. Think what fits into your daily schedule, be realistic. That way your sessions become a ritual and part of your subconsciousness.
- Daily practice keeps you sharp. You never know what’s waiting behind the next corner. An unexpected gig opportunity, tomorrow? A renowned band asks you to fill in? Be prepared, every day.
- No guilty conscience. When you follow a schedule for most days, it doesn’t care if you skip a one or two days here and there. Daily practice becomes so natural that you automatically get back on track.
- Alone time. Practicing can be somehow meditative, especially if you practice in the early morning hours because no one bothers you. Bonus tip: turn on flight mode during your sessions.
- Content. If you are a musician in a band or want to build a following online, daily practicing is easy content. Film yourself playing, take a daily “time to practice” picture or just share your progress with your audience.
