Blog
I’m Sarah –
I write about creative practice, burnout, identity, and what it actually takes to build a musical life — honestly, imperfectly, and without burning out along the way.
This is a space for musicians who are done waiting for the "right time" to take their craft seriously.
Most Popular
The Musician's Inner Critic: What It Is, Where It Comes From, and How to Stop Letting It Run Your Practice
The inner critic doesn't just affect how you feel about your practice. It changes what you actually do when you practice — turning sessions mechanical, keeping work perpetually unfinished, and convincing you that anything less than perfect isn't worth doing at all. But here's what most advice gets wrong: the inner critic isn't your enemy. It's a protector. And understanding what it's protecting you from is where the real work begins. This article explores what the inner critic actually is, why musicians are especially vulnerable to it, what neuroscience says about silencing it — and how to develop a relationship with that voice that doesn't cost you your music.
The Call of Music — And What Following It Actually Demands
One night in a ceremony — a woman, her voice, an accordion — and everything changed. What followed were two years of receiving the same message, from different directions, with increasing insistence, until I could no longer dismiss it: music is not a hobby. It is a calling. A force older than any of us. In this article I explore what philosophers like Pythagoras and Schopenhauer, indigenous healing traditions, neuroscientists — and my own experience — all say about the nature of music. And what it actually means to follow a call you never asked for.
Why Daily Music Practice Beats Long Weekly Sessions (Even If It's Just 10 Minutes)
I spent my first year playing guitar in an all-or-nothing loop. Two hours a day when I was on track — nothing for weeks when I wasn't. What I eventually learned changed how I practice completely: frequency beats duration. Ten minutes every day builds more than two hours once a week. Here's why and exactly what to do with it.
50 Hours of Focused Practice in 3 Weeks: What It Actually Feels Like
What does 50 hours of focused music practice actually produce? An honest account of 3 weeks of intensive practice across accordion, piano, and flute — with real results, real limitations, and what I've learned.
The 700-Hour Experiment: What Happens When You Treat Music Like a Serious Investment
Music used to live in the margins of my life. Between work, travel, and everything that had to happen — it kept getting pushed to later. So I did something concrete: I committed to 700 hours of focused music practice across 7 months. Not as a vague intention — as a measurable, structured investment in the musician I want to become. This is the story of that decision. The why, the how, and what I expect it to actually produce.
How to Structure a 15–30 Minute Music Practice Session (Backed by Science)
You love music — so why is it so hard to actually practice? It's not about motivation or talent. It's about structure. In this guide, you'll learn how to build a daily music practice that fits your life: how much time you actually need, how to structure a short session, and how to keep showing up — even on the hard days.
How to Build a Daily Music Practice (Even If You Have No Time)
You love music — so why is it so hard to actually practice? It's not about motivation or talent. It's about structure. In this guide, you'll learn how to build a daily music practice that fits your life: how much time you actually need, how to structure a short session, and how to keep showing up — even on the hard days.
How to Find Your Authentic Creative Voice (Without Copying Others)
Finding your authentic creative voice can feel confusing—especially when you start copying artists you admire without realizing it. In this article, I share my own journey from imitation to authenticity, and a practical framework to help you reconnect with your real expression. Your voice isn’t something you create—it’s something you uncover.
The Hyperindependent Musician: How "I Don't Need Anyone" Is Quietly Killing Your Art
Hyperindependence often looks like strength — especially in creative work. But when musicians stop sharing, stop asking, and start carrying everything alone, something essential gets lost. This article explores the hidden cost of “I don’t need anyone” and why music, at its core, needs connection to truly come alive.
The Functioning Identity and Its Price – When Strength Becomes a Trap
You show up. You deliver. You hold the room together when others fall apart. But what happens when you reach inside for something that's yours — and find nothing left? This is the hidden price of the functioning identity, and why strength can quietly become the very thing that traps you.
The Myth of Perfect Music: Why AI Raises the Bar for Being Human, Not Lowering It
AI tools promise flawless vocals, perfect chord progressions, and instant musical polish. But what happens to human creativity when perfection becomes cheap? In this article, we explore why AI doesn’t actually lower the bar for musicians — it raises it psychologically. Discover why imperfection, vulnerability, and courage may be the true differentiators for artists in the age of algorithmic music.
What Is the Difference Between an Amateur and an Artist? (Hint: It’s Not Skill)
What is the difference between an amateur and an artist? It’s not talent, training, or recognition. It’s mindset. In this post we’ll explore the artist vs amateur mindset and why so many talented musicians stay stuck in perfectionism and self-doub. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “good enough” to call yourself an artist, this is the perspective shift you’ve been waiting for.
Why So Many Musicians At First Hate the Sound of Their Own Voice
Ever cringe when you hear your own voice on a recording? You’re not alone. From rock legends like Bono and Jimi Hendrix to everyday singers, learning to accept your voice is a universal challenge. In this guide, I share why self-doubt happens, how your inner critic is actually a protector, and practical exercises — from daily recordings to gentle vocal training — that helped me move from rejection to relationship with my voice. This article gives actionable steps to build confidence, embrace imperfection, and reclaim your vocal presence.
Why Your Voice Changes When You’re Nervous (And How to Regain Control)
Nervous before a performance? Your voice isn’t failing — it’s responding to stress. Learn why performance anxiety changes pitch, tone, and resonance, and discover practical tips to calm your voice and perform with confidence.
Consistency Beats Inspiration: How Music Communities Keep You Creating
Musicians often wait for inspiration, but real progress comes from consistency. Joining music communities provides accountability, feedback, and momentum — helping you form habits, complete projects, and grow your skills. From The Beatles to jazz collectives, history shows that collaboration and peer support fuel creativity.
Slow Practice: The Key to Consistent, Effective Musicianship
Slow practice isn’t about doing less — it’s about learning better. This article explores why slowing down strengthens accuracy, builds reliable muscle memory, and leads to real, sustainable progress for musicians at every level.
How to Build a Sustainable Creative Practice (Without Burning Out)
A sustainable creative practice isn’t about constant inspiration or pushing harder — it’s about rhythm, structure, and joy. By creating within limits, honoring your nervous system, and making space for satisfaction and flow, you can avoid creative burnout and build a practice that lasts. In this article, I share the strategies that transformed my own creative life and show how structure and inspiration can coexist in your work.
The Homework Theory: Why Structure Finally Made Me Feel Like a Musician
What if the reason you’re not finishing music isn’t a lack of inspiration—but too much freedom? Inspired by Venus Theory’s Homework Theory, this article explores how constraints, deadlines, and structure helped me move from endless creative potential to actually making music. From preparing for a university music aptitude test to working with teachers and deadlines, I share how turning creativity into an assignment—not an option—changed everything.
Ed Sheeran’s Dirty Faucet Theory: Why Writing Bad Songs Is How You Write Good Ones
Why does writing music often feel so frustrating — even when you know what great music sounds like? In this article, I explore Ed Sheeran’s “dirty faucet” analogy, which reveals why making bad songs is not a failure, but an essential part of learning how to write better songs. Drawing from my own experience, insights from music educators, and reflections on embracing imperfection, this piece offers a grounded perspective on creative growth, patience, and why staying with the process matters more than getting it right.
The Art of Being a Beginner: How to Build Skill and Enjoy the Process as a Musician
Learning to be a beginner is harder than it seems, especially in a world that celebrates instant skill and perfection. In this post, I share my personal struggles with starting piano, the mistakes I made trying to skip the beginner phase, and the lessons I’ve learned about choosing the right course, building small wins, and embracing vulnerability.
