• You are improving, even if it doesn’t seem like that.
• As much as music can be stressful, think about why you started and how you love music.
• No matter where your musical ability is right now, you’re doing great, and you’ll do great.
• Remember, no one sounds perfect when they’re practicing.
• Music takes time- you are constantly learning and improving. Where you are right now is not an accurate indication of where you will be in a few years time.
• Sometimes you will have bad days, bad weeks, even bad months, but you just have to work through them as best as you can and things will get easier.
• There is always time to get better. Whether you’re at the beginning of your musical journey, or the middle, there will always be time to improve.
• There is no level to reach that defines you as a good musician. Even the greatest musicians are constantly learning and improving. And the fact that you’re working hard at your music is part of what makes you a good musician.
• Music is not a race- you are only competing against yourself- and you’re winning! You don’t need to compare yourself to others.
• Sometimes things will happen- things that are out of your control and interfere with your playing. This are things you can’t stop from happening, the only thing you can do is accept them and work through them as best as you can. And that’s all anyone can ask of you.
• You have improved by so much since last year. You will have improved by so much next year.
• We all go through difficulties with music. You’re not alone. You will get through it.
• Although there will always be someone better than you, the thing that matters is that you’re improving.
• You have strengths in your playing, not just weaknesses.
• You are allowed to take care of yourself. Your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing is more important than your music.
• Improvement in anything (but especially in music) takes time. When you want immediate results, it can be discouraging when you don’t get them instantaneously, but if you keep pushing on you will get there eventually.
• No matter where you are on your musical journey, your love of music is valid. You don’t have to be amazingly talented at something to have a passion for it.
• Where you are right now is fine.
• You can do it!! Now go practice.
Okay so this ended up more like advice then positivity, but thinking this way about practice and music in general (especially when you’re stressed or feeling bad about your abilities) can be really helpful. Music is as much of a mental game as it is anything else, and I think it’s important to acknowledge that.
FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR OWN POSITIVITY OR ADVICE HAVING TO DO WITH THE MENTAL SIDE OF MUSIC!! 🎶🎶
