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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPractice sessions were a slog, and here\u2019s why: I was mostly afraid to make mistakes or play something \u2018wrong.\u2019 I didn\u2019t feel like I could take chances at the keyboard. Despite the benefits of all this classical knowledge, I still couldn\u2019t get past this hunch that there was something deeper at the core of every musician, and that playing could be not only challenging but also fun, expressive, and rewarding. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What I didn\u2019t realize is that rather than using this classical training to enhance my ability, I was using it to limit what I felt I could do as a piano player. This is a trap that a lot of musicians can fall into without even realizing it. We look at notes written on a page and automatically assume that anything that isn\u2019t those notes are the \u2018wrong\u2019 ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, before you go and throw those books away, I\u2019m not telling you to forget your training and give up practice. Anything but. After all, the development and upkeep of good technique is essential to any good musician. Instead, what I\u2019m telling you to do is trust your training enough to not have to think about it all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Give yourself moments to just let your mind wander on the keys, free from any idea of mistakes or good\/bad notes.<\/strong> Trust that your hands will know what to do. Trust that it\u2019s ok to play a bum note here and there. You\u2019ll be surprised to find what you\u2019re capable of with this simple mental shift!<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this shift, your practice sessions will go from a being a chore to a joy. New creative pathways will open up. You\u2019ll find that improvisation comes easier. These moments are what you practice for. We develop rigorous practice schedules, disciplining our minds to pursue each exercise to perfection. But never forget that playing music can be really easy, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, we\u2019re always learning. Yes, practicing is hard work and it takes discipline to see results. Yeah, I still shudder thinking about those dreary years drilling classical theory into my beginner\u2019s brain. It can be frustrating. Sometimes it downright sucks. Embrace the process. And above all, never lose sight of why you practice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Never forget to take the time to sit back and just enjoy being the musician that you are. This is the mental shift you need to make if you want to become an improviser. You see, it\u2019s easy for some of us to get used to the \u2018grind\u2019 of practicing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We develop rigorous practice schedules, disciplining our minds to pursue each exercise to perfection. But sometimes we forget that playing music can be really easy, too. Yes, we\u2019re always learning. Yes, practicing is hard work and takes a lot of discipline to see results. It can be really discouraging sometimes. But I\u2019m telling you to embrace the process when you\u2019re in the thick of practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though I knew all this knowledge was of huge benefit, I still couldn\u2019t get past this hunch that there was something deeper at the core of every musician. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0It wasn\u2019t until I found a way to push aside all of this classical training, that I was able to truly start making music my own way. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, before you go and throw those books away, I\u2019m not telling you to forget your training. The development and upkeep of good technique is essential to any good musician. What I\u2019m telling you to do is suspend your training from time to time, and just let your mind wander on the keys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n