Six Goal Setting Tips from a Music Teacher and Nennie

Greg performing at Obon 2016 - Photo by Mike Gallan

by Greg Nakamura

Like some kids, my formal musical training began in the third grade, when I started piano lessons. In fifth grade, I took up the euphonium, which I’ve now been playing for 30 years. I’ve been a band director in public schools for 15 years and a Nen Daiko member for 17 years. During that time as both a student and teacher, there are many tips that I’ve picked up regarding practicing a musical instrument. Some I learned as a student, and some I’ve learned from fellow music teachers.

One thing that I’ve realized is that the skills we learn as we practice music are applicable to achieving any goal. What goal are you hoping to achieve? You can apply these tips to any goal you might be working towards.

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Tip #1: Keep a Practice Log or Journal
For my elementary students, I have them complete weekly practice charts to track how many minutes they practiced.  It is a simple tool that, combined with encouragement and guidance, can help motivate students to keep practicing at home.
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However, when I was in college I learned about using a practice log or journal. This goes beyond simply logging time, but also helps make practicing more effective. Part of the journal is to set a goal for each practice session, which helps focus your practicing much more effectively. The practice journal also helps with:

• Focus – While a beginner will see improvement in only 10 minutes of practice per day, a more advanced player won’t even scratch the surface in that time.  To make each practice session count, set a goal/priority to focus on. 
• Lesson Preparation – In a practice, you know what is not working. However, you might forget by the next time you are with your teacher or mentor where you can get help.
• Progress – When practicing, you will likely see similar challenges from week to week.  However, over a longer period of time, you can see improvement if you write down your ups/downs.

Keeping a record of your practice sessions reinforces your intent to achieve your goal, as well as helps to document any challenges/achievements you experience during your practicing.

To achieve your goal, how could you keep a journal or sketchbook?

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Tip #2: Set Aside Focused Time and Space
For my elementary school students, I ask them to practice 60 minutes per week. I encourage them not to do the whole hour all at once because their lips will fall off.  (While this may not be the actual effect, I do explain that shorter pockets of time consistently is often more valuable than “binge practicing” once in awhile).

I encourage families to create a dedicated practice area with the music stand set up. Students can put their instrument together when they get home and have it ready even if they don’t feel like practicing right away. A teacher once told me, “The hardest part of practicing is opening the instrument case.”

Practicing 5-10 minutes per day may not sound like much, but it adds up. Also, if you tell yourself that you will practice for just five or 10 minutes, you might be more likely to do it than if you think it must be 30-45 minutes. 

To achieve your goal, how could you create a dedicated place and time?

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Tip #3: Break Goals Down into Little Steps to Practice Over and Over
Learning to play an instrument involves many sub-tasks and challenges, so it is important to break it down and identify as many sub-tasks / challenges first, and then practice each step separately over and over.  For example, they need to learn how it feels to use the amount of air that a wind instrument requires, or even something more basic, such as how to properly assemble the instrument.  Once I establish the sub-task, I then tackle each one on its own.  As my students learn the basics, I also try and work on developing their muscle memory through repetition.  If they learn and internalize incorrect techniques in the beginning, they will face frustration later when they have to unlearn those items. 

My students often do not have the skill set to break up a larger task into smaller parts, so I break it down for them. It’s a great life skill to see a goal as a whole and figure out its components.  In addition, understanding that you need to master smaller simpler tasks before being able to attempt putting them together will also help later in life.

To achieve your goal, how could you break up a larger goal into something small and achievable?

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Tip #4: Use Motivational Tools
For some people, seeing progress represented visually is motivating. At school, we use charts where the kids can earn a star or a “belt” (following the karate color scheme). I will also use stickers.

Another example is something I picked up from a mentor, which is for my flute players.  It is a grid consisting of combinations of two different notes.  Kids demonstrate they can transition between two notes, which on the flute can be a challenge for young players.  When the student demonstrates the skill, they color a grid with highlighters – and they like coloring.

You might think colorful charts are for kids, but it can work for adults too. People are into coloring books these days – what about coloring goal charts on your fridge?

My best motivational tool is knowing I have a performance coming up. So for adults, a motivational tool might be signing up for events where you have to perform your skill. 

To achieve your goal, how could you track your progress visually or set deadlines?

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Tip #5: Listen to the Pros
I recommend that my students watch videos or live performances of professional musicians. Different players have different approaches to a piece. I encourage my students to get a feel for what they like and note it in their practice journal. It helps you develop preferences for your own performances. The more you listen to good players, you have that sound in your head. 

On social media or podcasts, you can follow professionals to see their videos or photos for inspiration. 

In taiko, it’s fun to research a piece like Omiyage, a composition that is played by many taiko groups. It is inspiring to see how each group interprets the piece. It helps us think about both what we like, and what we might do differently.  (Keeping note in our journal or log, of course).

To achieve your goal, where can you go to see or hear others, either for comparison or inspiration? 

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Tip #6: Seek Guidance/Support
My students see me once a week in a large class, so a private teacher is essential if they want to progress more quickly. Another way to progress is to find a group of like-minded people in an in-person or virtual group – such as Nen Daiko! I also learn from mentors who explain how they worked through the same challenges and act as a sounding board. 

Private teachers, groups, and mentors provide accountability. You tend to practice more before you see them next. 
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To achieve your goal, who could you seek to act as a teacher, group, or mentor? ​