The podcast discusses struggling with what to practice and offers solutions. They emphasize embracing frustration and challenges to grow as an artist. The importance of learning and practicing songs is highlighted, including exploring chord progressions. They also analyze a live apartment recording and delve into the musical significance of chord progressions.
Choose an album you love the most and focus on learning its chord progressions and nuances to inspire your own playing.
Embrace frustration and challenges in practice as opportunities for growth and deeper understanding of your craft.
Deep dives
Focus on your favorite album and figure out the chord progressions
If you're struggling to figure out what to practice, go back to your Spotify or Apple Music and identify the albums that you've been listening to on repeat recently. Choose the one that you love the most and focus on figuring out the chord progressions. Listen for the attack and ring of the chords and try to identify the voicings and the nuances of the performance. Take note of the parts that excite you the most and start by learning those. Don't feel the need to transcribe the entire song. Just learning a small part can open up new doors and provide inspiration for your own playing.
Embrace the frustration and seek out challenges
Embrace the frustrating moments in your practice and don't let them discourage you. Instead of always seeking the most efficient and optimized practice routine, allow yourself to hit a brick wall and be challenged. Sometimes the most productive breakthroughs come from pushing through frustration and boredom. Question whether you're doing the right thing, as all artists experience doubt and regression. Understand that setbacks are part of the journey and use them as opportunities to find new ways to improve. Embrace the challenges and frustrations as they can lead to growth and a deeper understanding of your craft.
Live a musical life and practice gratitude
Form a habit of living a musical life by framing your practice, interactions with music, and trajectory around your passion for music. Reject the notion of becoming a great musician and focus on simply living music. Allow music to meet you where you are and follow your genuine love and curiosity for the music you enjoy. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your practice and overall life, as it can have a transformative effect. Recognize the value in showing up consistently and be grateful for even the toughest practice days, as they are all part of the journey towards becoming a better musician.
Knowing how to organize your practice sessions can be tough. We all struggle with it. Trying to stay motivated can be challenging when you aren’t in the right headspace or don’t feel inspired. In this episode, Peter and Adam offer some solutions.