Music is a massive subject. There are countless directions you could take—technique, theory, improvisation, songwriting, production, performance, ear training, and more. Without a plan, it's easy to waste time on things that don’t help you reach your actual goals.
If your practice sessions feel scattered, unproductive, or frustrating, it’s time to fix your approach. Let’s break down common practice mistakes and how to make your time count.
1. Too Many Directions, No Clear Path
The Problem
Music is overwhelming. You might feel like you need to practice scales, learn songs, study music theory, train your ear, improve rhythm, and work on improvisation—all at once. You start working on everything and end up mastering nothing.
The Solution
- Define Your Goal: Are you aiming to be a great performer, a session musician, a songwriter, or a producer? Pick a focus.
- Prioritize Skills That Align With Your Goal: A gigging guitarist needs solid rhythm and repertoire, while a producer benefits more from sound design and arrangement.
- Cut Out the Unnecessary: If something doesn’t help your goals, drop it or minimize it in your practice routine.
Example: If your goal is to perform live, spending hours on obscure jazz scales instead of working on stage presence, setlists, and playing in time is a waste.
2. You’re Practicing the Wrong Things
The Problem
Not all practice is equal. Some things look productive but don’t actually improve your playing. You might:
- Play things you already know instead of challenging yourself.
- Spend time on unnecessary exercises instead of real-world application.
- Avoid difficult sections and just run through easy ones.
The Solution
- Identify Your Weak Spots: If your rhythm is sloppy, practice with a metronome and drums (loops). If your improvisation is weak, study phrasing and scales in context.
- Replace Mindless Drills with Musical Application: Instead of just running scales, use them in real playing situations (jam tracks, songwriting, or improvisation).
- Use Recording as a Reality Check: Record your practice, listen back, and pinpoint weaknesses.
Example: Practicing fast scales for hours but never using them in a song? Try integrating those scales into licks and solos instead.
3. Your Practice is Scattered and Unfocused
The Problem
One day you practice speed, the next day a random song, then technique, then music theory—there’s no structure. Without consistency, progress is slow and frustrating.
The Solution
- Follow a Structured Routine: Divide your practice into focused sections (e.g., 10 minutes on technique, 20 minutes on songs, 15 minutes on improvisation).
- Stick to One Area at a Time: Instead of jumping between topics daily, work on a skill for a few weeks before switching.
- Use a Practice Log: Track what you practice to stay consistent. *ALWAYS*
Example: Instead of practicing finger exercises one day and songwriting the next, dedicate a month to refining technique while integrating it into your playing.
| Have your practice notes open and ready to go each session |
Always take notes on progress, what to practice, what you did yesterday, and what to work on next
4. Some Things Are a Waste of Time to Practice
The Problem
There are things musicians often spend time on that don’t translate into real improvement. These include:
- Excessive scale drills without applying them to real music.
- Playing without a metronome and wondering why your timing is off.
- Mindlessly repeating songs without improving technique or musicality.
The Solution
- Focus on quality over quantity—it’s better to master one useful technique than to half-learn ten.
- Always ask, "How will this help my playing?" If you don’t have a clear answer, reconsider.
- Prioritize skills that translate directly to real-world music-making (playing with others, performing, composing, etc.).
Example: Instead of playing the same song every day, challenge yourself to improvise over its chord changes or play it in different keys.
5. Try Other Things Instead of Strict Practice
The Problem
Practicing isn’t the only way to grow as a musician. Some players get stuck in endless practice routines but never apply their skills to songwriting, producing, recording, or performing.
The Solution
- Shift Focus to Real-World Application:
- Songwriters: Spend time composing instead of just running exercises.
- Performers: Rehearse as if you’re on stage, work on presence and confidence.
- Producers: Learn mixing and sound design, not just playing an instrument.
- Balance Practice with Creative Work: If you only practice technique, you might become technically skilled but lack musicality.
Example: Instead of spending an hour on scales, use that time to write a song or record yourself playing over a backing track.
6. You Don’t Have a Program or Consistent Routine
The Problem
Practicing randomly without a system leads to inconsistent progress. You might work hard for a week, then slack off for a month.
The Solution
- Follow a Program: Whether you create your own or follow a structured course, having a roadmap keeps you on track.
- Set Weekly Goals: Example: "Learn two new chord progressions and improve speed by 10 BPM."
- Make Practice a Habit: Practicing for 20 minutes every day is better than cramming for hours once a week.
Example: Instead of saying “I’ll practice when I have time,” schedule practice sessions like appointments.
Final Thoughts: Stop Wasting Time—Start Practicing Smarter
It’s not about how long you practice, but how well you use your time. Practicing aimlessly won’t get you anywhere, but focused, structured sessions will lead to real progress.
What You Should Do Now:
- Define your musical goals.
- Cut out unnecessary or ineffective practice habits.
- Structure your practice with focused, goal-oriented sessions.
- Balance practice with real-world music-making.
- Stay consistent and track your progress.
- Review your program and update it once you see results.
If you want real improvement, stop wasting time practicing the wrong way—start practicing with intention!
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