Start your journey with the right mindset!
Learning guitar online offers flexibility and convenience, but it can also be challenging to stay motivated over time. I've heard from many new students who express how difficult it can be to stay motivated. Without the structure of in-person lessons, it’s easy to lose focus. However, in this article, we will explore the right approach so you can keep your enthusiasm alive and make consistent progress. Here are some strategies to help you stay motivated during your online guitar lessons.
1. Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Setting specific and realistic goals is crucial for staying motivated. We all dream of playing like superstars. However, choosing a music piece that is too difficult without proper preparation is like trying to lift a 200kg weight without daily training and an experienced coach. Whether you want to learn a particular song, master a new technique, or reach a certain level of proficiency, having a clear and appropriate target gives you something to work toward.
Personal Tip:
One of my students wanted to learn Für Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven. I had a couple of versions of this beautiful composition, but he chose the most difficult one. I tried to convince him to start with an easier version, but he insisted on learning the challenging piece because he loved it. We began working on it, but it took him four weeks just to master the first three bars. His fingers weren’t yet ready for the demands of the piece.
I noticed his motivation waning and knew I had to act quickly. I suggested switching to a completely different piece of music that was more suited to his level. His motivation started to recover, and we began making significant progress with the new material.
He was grateful to me, and I was also happy that everything worked out well.
2. Track Your Progress
As a professional guitar teacher, the progress of my students is paramount. I carefully document every small success and share these milestones with my students. Seeing how far you’ve come can be incredibly motivating.
Tracking your progress helps you recognize achievements and stay encouraged. It can be hard to stay focused on progress tracking when life is busy, whether it's family, work, or other commitments. To address this, maintaining a practice journal is a valuable habit. By noting what you’ve worked on and any improvements you’ve observed, you create a record of your growth.
If you study with a teacher like me, I take on the task of tracking your progress for you. This allows you to focus more on your practice while still benefiting from a clear view of your development. (Forgive the self-praise, but I truly believe this helps in keeping students motivated!)
Student Experience:
One of my students struggled with the speed of a famous guitar riff. We began recording his practice sessions to document his progress. When I noticed a significant improvement in his playing, I suggested recording him. By comparing recordings from his first week with the riff to those made after a few months, the noticeable improvement boosted his motivation and encouraged him to keep practicing.
3. Find a Routine That Works for You
Consistency is key to making progress, but finding a routine that fits your lifestyle is essential. Whether you have 10 minutes or an hour to practice each day, creating a routine you can stick to will help you stay committed. It's crucial to build the habit of practicing every day, even if it's just for a short time. With the right approach, even brief practice sessions can lead to significant progress and real satisfaction for both your fingers and your mind.
Personal Tip:
In my experience with online guitar lessons, I’ve found that breaking practice into short, focused sessions throughout the day works best. Instead of trying to practice for an hour straight twice a week, I recommend doing 15-minute sessions in the morning, afternoon, and evening. This approach keeps students fresh and helps maintain consistency.
4. Stay Connected with Your Teacher
Even though your lessons are online, staying connected with your teacher is crucial. If you have a question, I always encourage my students to send me an email right away. Whenever I'm available, I’m happy to offer the support you need. In today’s world, we have amazing opportunities to stay connected, even if we’re on opposite sides of the planet.
Student Experience:
I had a student who was feeling isolated and losing motivation. I suggested they send me an email with any questions or updates between lessons. This small change made a big difference in their motivation and progress. Being able to stay connected and share their progress helped them feel more engaged and supported.
5. Mix Up Your Practice Routine
Variety can help prevent boredom and keep you engaged. If you find yourself stuck in a rut, try mixing up your practice routine. Of course, practicing guitar pieces or etudes is important, but why not shake things up one day and learn a fun song like a BBQ tune? This change can help prevent boredom and add a spark of creativity to your daily practice routine.
Personal Tip:
One of my students hit a frustrating plateau in their playing. To shake things up, I introduced a classic rock riff, even though their main focus was classical music. This change of pace rekindled their excitement for practicing and helped them break through the plateau.
6. Celebrate Your Successes
Don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Whether it’s mastering a guitar piece or finishing a song, acknowledging your progress can boost your confidence and keep you motivated. Treat yourself to something special, like a new t-shirt with a guitar print, a set of cool guitar picks, or even a favorite snack. Celebrating these milestones helps keep the excitement alive!
Student Experience:
I’ve had students who, after feeling significant progress in their guitar playing, rewarded themselves with a new guitar after completing their first year of online guitar lessons. This tangible reward made their hard work feel even more worthwhile and motivated them to set new goals for the next year.
Stay Motivated and Enjoy Your Guitar Journey
Maintaining motivation during online guitar lessons is entirely achievable with the right approach. By setting clear goals, tracking your progress, finding a practice routine that works for you, staying connected with your teacher, mixing up your practice, and celebrating your successes, you’ll keep your enthusiasm high and make steady progress.
Remember, every pluck, strum, and chord brings you closer to your musical goals. Keep playing, stay inspired, and enjoy every step of your guitar learning journey!
Wishing you harmony and happiness,
Serge