Some Tips to Make Summer Instrument Practice *Actually* Happen

Ah, summer. The season of beaches, barbecues, and...practice? While the idea of practicing your instrument during the summer might not sound like the most exciting thing in the world, it's an essential part of improving your skills and achieving your musical goals. So how can you motivate your students (or yourself) to practice their instruments during the summer months? Here are some fun and personable tips to get you started:

Set goals

Encourage your students to set specific, achievable goals for their summer practice sessions. Whether it's learning a new piece, mastering a particular technique, or improving their speed and accuracy, having a clear goal in mind can help motivate them to practice consistently. It can help to have a set goal on the calendar, a specific amount of time set aside each day, or any small metric that can clearly and obviously be checked off your to-do list so you know you’re making progress!

Make it social

Practicing doesn't have to be a solitary activity. Encourage your students to practice with friends, whether in person or virtually. This can make the experience more enjoyable and provide opportunities for collaboration and feedback. Make plans to meet friends once a week to practice, or challenge each other to specific goals or to learn a new song or technique the best or quickest.

Try new things

Summer is the perfect time to explore new musical styles and genres. Encourage your students to try something different, whether it's learning a new instrument, trying the Original Breath Builder, experimenting with a new style of music, or exploring new techniques.

Make it a game

Turn practicing into a fun game by setting up challenges or competitions. For example, you could challenge your students to see who can learn a new piece the fastest, or who can master a particular technique first. Adding an element of competition can make practicing more engaging and motivating. If instruments feel like old news, our Original Breath Builder’s built to feel like a game- while still training your students to have stronger lungs. And stronger lungs = better notes and better playing!

Get outside

Take advantage of the beautiful summer weather by practicing outdoors. Whether it's playing your instrument in the park, on the beach, or in your own backyard, practicing in a different environment can help make the experience more enjoyable and inspiring.

Create a practice playlist

Music is a powerful motivator, so encourage your students to create a playlist of songs that inspire them to practice. Whether it's classical music, jazz, or pop, having a playlist of favorite songs can make practice sessions more fun and energizing. Make sure they’re songs that they actually wanna learn or inspire them to keep diving more into the world of music and playing!

Make it a habit

Finally, encourage your students to make practicing a daily habit. Consistency is key when it comes to improving your musical skills, so encourage your students to set aside a specific time each day for practicing, and to stick to it as much as possible. Even small habits like practicing their breathing exercises can make a huge impact come fall.

Hope you can use and try out these fun and doable tips for getting students to practice their instruments during the summer months! Remember, practicing doesn't have to be a chore - with a little creativity and motivation, it can be a fun and rewarding experience that helps students achieve their musical goals.

And, if you’re looking for a different, yet still fun way to get them to improve their playing come fall- the Original Breath Builder really may just the thing! It’s something new, a simple practice, and something that they can take on vacation, carry with them, and include in their everyday life easily. Plus, it does feel like a fun, easy game that really makes a lasting impact on their playing, lungs, and even their overall wellbeing!