I grew up in a musical household where music was ALWAYS playing morning noon and night. I remember singing along to music as a child, singing the harmony and not understand what I was doing while I was doing it. I had my first piano lesson on my father’s lap before I was 5 years old and took formal piano lessons every year until I was 15 when I just did not want to play anymore.

Those years formed deep pathways in my brain that I still benefit from today. I had to practice every day (even though I saw it as punishment at the time) but today I can play scales without thinking about what key I am in.

All of the practicing of playing the piano and listening to music assisted me in my development of become a professional singer, songwriter, and arranger. At first it was easy but I still had to put in the work of understanding what music is and how to deconstruct as well as construct it (that’s what school helps you with). All of this takes time, but the best way that I have found to develop will always be one day at a time. 

The brain really likes short bursts of information to be stored and turned into muscle memory. For those of you who practice and study the night before the test, I understand that at this point you feel that this is the ONLY way you can do it because you just have so many other things to get done. 

But, there is another way that is much easier. See practicing and developing as a JOURNEY. A little bit every day will keep you calm, will keep you from procrastinating and feeling bad because you did not do your work, and you will 
REMEMBER what you’ve done. Don’t let frustration get you down. ALL amazing musicians learned by making mistakes that led them to learning how to play so that their instrument became an extension of who they are. Practice one day at a time. 

Take care,
Roxanne Goodman
The Confidence Booster