Perhaps you’ve been on vacation recently or simply taken a break from your flute for a while. You’d like to start back up but aren’t exactly sure where to begin. 

To help you kickstart this journey, I’d like to share 10 practical tips to help get you back on track. Let’s go!

1. Prioritize your practice time

This might go without saying, but it’s so important to put your flute practice on the priority list. Even if it’s been off the list for a while, it’s time to put it back on. Prioritizing your flute practice will help you to actually block off that time on your schedule and dedicate the necessary time to it.

2. Start early in the day

Completing an activity early in the day has many benefits, the first being that you get it out of the way. It’s off the list, you’ve done it, hooray! 

The earlier in the day you do something, the more likely you’ll have enough energy to spend on it. You may also want to complete a section of your practice routine early on, just to get a headstart, and come back later in the day to complete it. 

The weather might factor in too, depending on where you live and what time of year it is. If you’re in a hot place, getting your practice out of the way early may be wise since it won’t be so hot yet.

3. Clean practice space

Having a nice, clean practice space will go a long way towards making your practice session that much more inviting. It doesn’t have to be perfect by any means (my practice space is often far from tidy, I must confess!), but a clutter-free zone really can help get you into the right frame of mind.

4. Set clear, achievable goals

This is one of the most important points when it comes to your practice routine. It’s not just about setting goals, but about setting clear, achievable goals. 

Why is this so important? Setting clear goals will help you to know exactly what you’re trying to achieve and provide your practice session with focus. Practicing becomes that much easier if you actually go into that practice room knowing what you’d like to achieve. 

Setting achievable goals will give you that sense of achievement to keep going (more about that in the next point). 

Your goals could be daily, weekly, or even monthly, but know what you’re trying to achieve when you pick up that flute to practice. Simply practicing for the sake of it won’t get you very far.  

To make your goals even more tangible, I recommend writing them down. Keep track of them and review them regularly. 

It also really takes the pressure off when you don’t need to rack your brains on what to practice every time. Even better, have a system or long-term plan that you simply slot into when you practice. Our recent blog post on what to include in your practice routine might also be a helpful read. Check it out here. 

5. Start small

Start small, especially if you’ve had a long break and just aren’t used to that much practice anymore. I know it can be tempting to want to ramp it up right away, but try to resist this temptation. Not only could you hurt yourself, but you might actually end up hating your practice time. 

So – go for a small amount each day at first. You can gradually increase this, of course. But really do start small.  Set some small goals that you know you can attain and then build on this sense of achievement. Aiming too high too fast will simply leave you exhausted and unmotivated.

6. Switch off distractions

Make sure that you are free from distractions while you practice. Put that phone away, close the door, and make sure you’re in a quiet, uninterrupted space. (As much as possible at least!)

Even if you use an app on your phone as a metronome, I recommend putting the phone on flight mode. You want to do everything in your power to create that quiet, uninterrupted space to practice.

7. Stay accountable

I think most of us would agree that it’s a lot easier to stay on track when you aren’t going it alone. The easiest way to solve this problem is to get a buddy and keep yourself accountable – just someone to check in with you occasionally or even regularly. It could be someone that you already play with – a fellow band member perhaps, a teacher, or even a member of our wonderful Flute Practice community. 
Another way to make sure you are keeping yourself accountable is to find a system to slot into. This could be a practice plan where you have a set plan to follow each day. (Check out our ultimate guide to creating a sustainable practice plan here.)

8. Take a break

This might sound counter-intuitive, but breaks actually have a pivotal role to play in any practice routine. Instead of pushing yourself through an hour or two of practice, make sure that you are taking some breaks in between. 

And on an even larger scale, actually taking a complete break from your practice schedule can also really help you to play better in the long run. If you’d like to read more on the role that rest can play in your flute practice, head on over to one of our recent blog posts entitled “How rest can revitalize your playing”.

9. Be kind

Being kind to ourselves can be easier said than done. We are often our own harshest critics and hold ourselves to impossible standards at times. Yet, it’s so important that we treat ourselves with kindness. Don’t be too hard on yourself as you try to get back into a practice routine. Celebrate your wins, however small they may be. Keep pressing forward yes, but also cut yourself some slack along the way.

10. Just do it!

As Nike’s famous slogan encourages us – just do it! Don’t think too much, don’t overanalyze. Your brain can be a very powerful influencing agent. It can override any decision you’ve made seconds after you’ve made it. So before it has the chance to do that, simply take the steps forward. Just act, don’t think too much. 

Hopefully, these tips have been helpful to you. 

For those who’d like to check out the corresponding video, you can click on it below.

Happy practicing!