Practicing can definitely be a chore. It is a lot of work, & hard work at that if you do it correctly. Practicing an instrument is like training to run a 5k, or studying for the SAT. You have to constantly set goals for yourself and sometimes even push through working on things you may frankly just be tired of working on.

I love the violin. Sometimes I love practicing, other times I dread it. There have been a few times where I did not even want to look at my violin or pick it up. I think everyone experiences this no matter what field you are in, or what your career is or ends up being. Learning an instrument teaches you skills that pour into everyday life.

I think learning an instrument has great value for everyone, even for those who do not become 'professional musicians'. Practicing teaches you self-awareness and how to work towards goals. Self-Awareness & Goal Setting are some of the top skills for leaders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs in any field and any business.

Self-Awareness: Knowing yourself, knowing how your mind works, knowing your body, knowing when you need to stop, knowing when you need to push yourself, knowing when you need to listen, knowing when you need to play out, knowing how far you've come, knowing how far you can still go, knowing when to forgive yourself, knowing when to move on, knowing when you're stuck, knowing when you need inspiration, knowing when to rest, knowing how to motivate yourself, knowing when to ask for help, knowing your capabilities, knowing that hard work pays off even if it takes longer than you want.

As I have been practicing this past week I have been thinking a lot about how far I have come and how far I can still go. Self-awareness and goal setting have been on my mind. I hope this blog post is inspiring in a way to some of my students that may be struggling with practicing. Life is a journey, enjoy the ride! There are and will be hard times and things that may not be fun to experience, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Progress is a process. So as Julia Child said, "Find something you're passionate about, and keep tremendously interested in it." If you are stuck in a practicing rut, find other interesting aspects about your music you can learn about. If you don't or can't play your instrument one day, then maybe just research the composer or listen to a recording. There are many ways to practice - physically and mentally. Keep it interesting. You never know where your passions will take you. Look at Julia Child, she starred in eight television cooking shows, published 11 cookbooks, and was the first woman to be inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Hall of Fame. And to think she was 49 years old when her first book was published!! Wow.

Past Blog Post You May Like
Larissa

Have you ever wondered what it looks like to change violin strings? Here is a snip-it. :D
Larissa

Thanks for a great year of violin lessons everyone! It was such a blast to work with you all & I am so thankful for the opportunity. It was a fun group class this month. :D

I will see many of you this summer. But for those who are taking a break, have a fantastic vacation.
Larissa

Skype violin lessons? Yes, I offer them!

I definitely prefer teaching in person lessons. There is great value in being able to assist with posture, and there is nothing like the acoustics/sound during a one-on-one in person lesson. But, I also see the value in Skype or video lessons. For the past year I have been offering Skype lessons as make-ups, for students on vacation/away from town, or for people who are looking for an introduction to the violin and would like to learn a bit about it before committing to a more consistent lesson schedule. I am able to focus more on music theory and the mental elements of being a musician during these kinds of lessons.

Sound like something you are interested in?
Sign-up for summer Skype lessons today!
Larissa

I can't believe it...we have ONE group class left in this semester and school year. Join me in Holland for music, games, treats, memories, and laughs. We will review everything you all have learned this year. $5 for this class. I hope you all can make it!

When: Friday, May 19 5-5:30PM
Where: MidTown Center in Holland, MI
Who: Miss Larissa's private violin students