6 tips to help you get your music motivation back

• Pinpoint the moment when you decided you wanted to play music, and try to remember how you felt. Focus on that feeling when you’re having a tough practice, and it’ll help you get through. 

If you’ve been practicing the same pieces for months, it’s no surprise that you’re struggling to stay motivated. 

• Why not try learning something new for a change? Or even better, try playing something in a completely different style or genre to what you’re used to. It won’t be easy, but that challenge might be just what you need.  

It’s good to have a routine, but when that routine becomes boring and unproductive, it’s time for a change.

• If you’ve always done evening practices, but have started to find yourself feeling sluggish and making excuses to miss your sessions, why not give morning practices a try instead? And if your instrument allows, you could even try practicing in a different place – book a different room at school or university, or rearrange your setup if that’s all you can do. A new environment can do wonders for refreshing your mindset.
• You could also try changing how you practice. If you’re finding it difficult to concentrate, try practicing little and often in short sessions, rather than doing just a couple of long sessions every week.   

• Try joining an ensemble or band. They might not play in the style you’re used to, but the experience will make you a better musician in the long term – and you might even discover something new that you really enjoy.

• Have a browse around and find something that interests you. 

• Go and see them perform live if you can, or watch videos of them online.