It’s so easy to get pulled out of practice by a ping, a message, or the temptation to scroll. Even when we’re trying to practice, our devices often make it harder to stay focused.

Sometimes the hardest part of practicing is just getting started. The music stand is empty, your instrument’s still in its case, and everything feels like a chore.

If you've ever felt stuck or blocked in your music practice, it might not be a lack of talent — it might be the method you're following. When a trusted teacher or book lays out a clear path, it can be easy to believe that's the only way. But what if that path doesn’t suit how you actually learn or create?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when your practice list just keeps getting longer. There’s so much you could be doing—and it can start to feel like you’re always falling short.

Sometimes the fastest way forward in your music practice is to pause and slow things right down. It can feel frustrating — like you’re not progressing — but learning to focus with patience is one of the most effective tools you have.

Many musicians find themselves stuck in a cycle of “productive procrastination” — spending hours reading, watching videos, or buying gear without actually practicing.

Do you ever find yourself zoning out during scales or running out of steam before you get to the hard parts? It’s easy to fall into autopilot when you always do things the same way.

It’s a frustrating feeling: you’re trying to be a good student, but the practice tasks you’re given feel boring, confusing, or disconnected from what you want to play.

Do you avoid the metronome? Feel like it’s out to get you? Many musicians struggle to play along with a metronome — it can feel awkward, frustrating, or even like a personal failure.

Feeling too tired for a full practice session? It’s okay to turn back halfway.

It’s easy to lose momentum when you’re learning a new instrument or returning after a break.

Sometimes internal motivation just isn’t enough, especially if you’re an adult learning an instrument.

When you’re working on a piece that feels too hard, it’s easy to feel stuck or lose confidence. The mountain seems too big, and you can’t imagine ever reaching the top.

If your practice feels tight, tense, or overly mechanical, this exercise is for you.

Do you find it hard to memorise music, lyrics or chords? Or does the thought of playing without the music in front of you send you into a panic? If yes, this is for you.

When we are learning music, especially if we are teaching ourselves, we often just want someone to hand us a method book and tell us exactly what to practice.

We’ve all been there — you hit a mistake in your music practice, cringe, stop, and go back. But if we always stop for every mistake in the practice room, how can we expect to play through them in performance?

If you always start learning a new piece from the beginning, you’re not alone. But this approach often leads to an uneven performance, the opening becomes polished through repetition, while the ending remains uncertain.

Improvisation as a pianist, guitarist, violinist or singer can feel intimidating if you’ve never tried it before. But the first five minutes of your practice session are the perfect time to experiment — you’ve got nothing to lose.

Think recording your practice is only for confident musicians? You’re not alone if you feel nervous or awkward hearing yourself.