When you first start to play the piano, you can be really excited and really keen to practice regularly, but sooner or later that adrenaline rush of actually getting started, wears off. Practicing can become more of a chore, when it was once delightful and now it doesn’t seem to be fun anymore. Sometimes you might even be on the verge of quitting. So how does someone stay motivated to keep learning and practicing the piano?
One way that you can keep progressing through an initial slump, or even subsequent slumps in wanting to practice, is that you set yourself daily or weekly goals. It should not be performance related, such as I will get a new piece learned by the end of the week, but rather it should be a goal based on activity. This could be that you practice for 20 minutes every day. What can help with making this sort of commitment is that you build it into your routine, so you could make it that you practice straight after your second coffee for the day, or directly after lunch or just before you make dinner. I know what I would pick but not everyone operates the same way. You need to pick a time that works for you. The way I see it, it’s a lot like brushing your teeth – you never have to figure out when you can squeeze in the time to brush your teeth because you just do it as a matter of routine. In my opinion, this is ideal that your piano practice is just part of your routine.
What can also be useful in keeping you motivated to learn and practice, if you make yourself accountable to someone. If you have a piano teacher, then you already have that, but if you are learning by yourself then you could have a friend or family member that you let them know how much practice you have done, or what you have achieved each week (or fortnight or month).
Another option you have is that you could play for a family member or friend, say once a month – it would be helpful if this friend or family member plays the piano themselves, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Just make sure that they are someone who is supportive and encouraging.
One option that could be helpful for you to help you stay motivated is to record your practice either once a week or once a month, so you can hear for yourself how much you are improving. I would not recommend recording yourself daily as the difference each day might be too subtle for you to appreciate your progress.
Whatever way you choose to keep motivated to practice, just remember that everyone goes through this slump at some stage and everyone could do with a bit of encouragement and support now and again.