Navigating Big Transitions: How Music Can Help

Dr. Klondike Steadman

As many families head back to school this fall, with some returning to in-person learning for the first time in a while, it can be overwhelming to deal with new schedules, activities, and the uncertainties in life that a continuing pandemic may bring. Music can be used as a tool to navigate big transitions such as these however, and the simple act of practicing your instrument can create helpful feelings of joy, calmness, or energy!

So, how can you ensure that your music lessons are a source of positivity in your life rather than just an additional source of stress? Here are some useful tips!
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Maintaining the Joy of Music

When we are feeling stressed and over-scheduled, often the last thing we want to do is sit down and work hard at a difficult activity like learning piano or guitar. I know, because I've been there too.

​It is essential to assess when we are starting to experience this kind of burnout, and actively work to mix things up a little. Take a break from the scales, the technique, or the music theory, and focus on playing non-difficult songs that bring a smile to your face. Once you rekindle the joy of playing some easier, beautiful pieces, you will likely find that you want to play something a little more challenging, which is the perfect time to start building up your technique again. I use this approach for myself and my students all the time!
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Making Time for Music

Making time for the things that matter most in life can be a big challenge for anyone. Yes, playing music in a way that satisfies our need for self-expression requires regular practice, and this can be extremely difficult to carve out of a busy week filled with school, sports, tutoring (and hopefully a little down time!). It can feel that much harder when we're adjusting to a new schedule. That being said, making time for music probably doesn't take as long as most people think.

Set aside as little as 10-15 minutes a day, and stick to it for a few weeks. The specific timing doesn't matter, as long as the student isn't hungry, tired, or frustrated. For some students, this means practicing in the morning before they get ready for school or work, whereas other students are freshest just after getting home for the day, or right before dinner time. If you're still wondering where to find that 10-15 minutes in the day, think through a typical day and note any periods of natural downtime. You might discover that you're not as busy as you feel. For instance, many parents have expressed that limiting screen time is a major step in freeing up some time for their child to dedicate towards music.

​Once you've started to create a habit, it won't feel as difficult to get to the instrument, your songs will flow more easily, and you will find yourself feeling naturally drawn to practicing. A mistake is to assume that inspiration comes first, and that dedication then follows. It's actually the opposite: once we regularly do something well, we become inspired by the possibilities for our own self-expression! 
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​Staying Focused and Motivated

Music creates powerful connections between the world around us and ourselves in a way that few other activities can. Whether singing along to meaningful lyrics or exploring a cultural connection to our ancestry, there is much to be gained from music in addition to just technical mastery.

​But it's just one of those things: You must be present to benefit, and you only get out what you put into it! In other words, if you want to learn a song that brings you joy and relief, but you never find the time to sit down and actually do it, you don't get the reward. This is why it's so important to remain focused and motivated, and to establish goals for yourself along the way to track and reward your own progress. 

One way to stay motivated is to learn music that is meaningful to you. For instance, my students are currently learning the National Anthems of their parents or grandparents' countries! Being able to connect with their ancestral history through music motivates them to practice in an incredibly powerful and personal way!

Once you have the motivation, you need a way to stay on track with your goals. It may sound like common sense, but keeping a practice journal is one of the most effective ways to help you stay focused. Every time you practice, log it in your journal. If you practice five days in a row, find a way to celebrate your dedication. See if you can't beat your practice streak the next week. Your teacher can help you with setting up a practice journal that works for you.
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Helping Your Child

My daughter plays both guitar and piano, and, at the risk of embarrassing her, she plays both quite well. When she was younger, my wife and I had to put in a lot of effort towards "making it fun" and juggling practice times to keep her engaged. Now almost old enough to drive, she naturally goes to her instrument every day to play, work, and express herself. It took six or seven years of "making it fun" for practicing music to become a part of who she is, but now I don't think she could imagine a life without it (it also helps that she has musical friends to play with in a quartet and a teacher she looks up to and wants to please). I see this in almost all teenagers at Orpheus who made practicing a habit through their younger years.

​"Making it fun" looks different for every student, and will require some trial and error on the part of the parent and the teacher. A good starting place might be to try out some practice games. There are plenty of examples online, and we've compiled a useful list for download here.
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Strategies to Use

While there are a lot of different ways to help a student engage in joyful practice, one thing you don't want to do is engage in a power struggle by "forcing" them to practice. In fact, this struggle will only worsen over time as they begin to resent practicing and, by extension, music itself.

​Instead, the best solutions come from a collaborative approach to problem solving. Ask questions (preferably with the teacher present) such as: "How can we make this a fun part of every day?", "What can I do to help?", "Do you want me in the room when you practice?", "Do you want to play for grandpa over Zoom this weekend?", and "Is there a special song we could learn to play together?".

The key is to stay flexible. Learning music is a lifelong process, and there's no one perfect solution. Often times what worked for the student at the beginning might not be as effective for the student as they grow older. But if you stay curious and ask questions, you'll figure out what works.
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What to Remember

As I've said, big transition periods can be overwhelming, but music lessons don't have to be part of that stress. Here are the most important things to remember to keep music fun, motivating, and joyful:
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1. Avoid burnout by switching up your practice routine and revisiting easy favorites.
2. Make time for music in your new schedule by carving out as little as 10-15 minutes a day. Establish a habit, and see how quickly practicing becomes your favorite part of your daily routine!
3. Find motivation by learning songs that you can connect with, and stay focused by logging your goals in a practice journal.
4. For parents, don't engage in power struggles, but do ask your child questions. Collaborate with your teacher to find strategies that keep practice fun!

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Dr. Klondike Steadman

Dr. Steadman is the executive director and co-founder of Orpheus Academy of music with his wife, Wendy Kuo. In addition to teaching guitar at Orpheus, he is the father to a teenage daughter,  who is also an accomplished musician. He has authored several books including The Complete Guitar and The Complete Guitar For the Older Beginner, as well as Loving Practice, Developing Discipline. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, playing tennis, and hiking with their corgi dog, Momo.