- Aim to practice everyday. Even the best musicians strive to practice their instrument daily. Make practice a part of your daily routine. Determine when is the best time for you to practice. If you like practicing in the morning, get up 30 minutes early so that you won't be late for work. If you're an evening person, do your practice before going to bed or before you become sleepy. If you skip a practice day, don't worry, but do try to make up for the missed practice session by extending your practice time for at least 5 minutes for your next session.
- Practice for at least 20 minutes. Why 20 minutes? I find that this is a manageable time for beginners, it's not too short that you get nothing done and not too long that you end up feeling bored. When I say 20 minutes it refers to the lesson proper itself. Devote 5 minutes for warm-ups and 5 minutes for cool downs, just like a regular exercise. That means you must set aside at least 30 minutes a day for practice sessions. That's not too long, right? You can spend longer than that falling in line at a check-out counter. As your interest grows you'll find that your daily practice time will also extend.
- Reward yourself. If you've just learned playing a piece you've previously had trouble with, by all means, reward yourself. You don't have to splurge, just doing something you particularly enjoy is a reward in itself. Grab a latte at your favorite coffee place, rent a movie, etc. Rewarding yourself will give you a moral boost and further inspire you to learn.
- Be open to your teacher. If you're taking individual or group lessons make sure that you communicate with your teacher. Consult your teacher if there's an area you're struggling with or if there's something you don't fully comprehend. Your teacher is your ally, she is there to help you. Be open and don't feel embarrassed to approach your music teacher if you're having difficulty about a certain lesson or music piece.
- Make your practice area comfortable. Is your seat comfortable? Is the room well ventilated? Is their proper lighting? Make sure that your practice area is comfortable and free from distractions so you can concentrate when practicing.
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