A month ago, I started a challenge to practice music every single day for a year, and I’m excited to share what a transformative experience it’s already been. When I set out on this journey, my intention was simple: to cultivate consistency and see what I could discover along the way (I shared more about my intentions and goals for this challenge in the full blog post). And yet, within just four weeks, I’ve already noticed profound shifts in my skills, my relationship with music, and my self-confidence.

Here’s an update on what I’ve learned so far, along with a recap of the “rules” that are keeping me on track. Plus, it’s not too late to join me on this transformative journey!

The Rules of the Challenge

Before I dive into the insights, here’s a quick reminder of the core guidelines I set for this journey. These simple rules have made all the difference in helping me stay committed without feeling overwhelmed.

**MINIMUM OF 10 MINUTES PRACTICE EACH DAY**
Setting a small, manageable daily goal has kept me consistent. I only *have* to practice for 10 minutes, which removes any pressure. And most days, those 10 minutes turn into much longer sessions.
**TRUSTING THE PROCESS**
I’ve given myself permission to trust that small, daily efforts, will lead to meaningful progress over the course of one year.
**INTENTIONAL PRACTICE**
Each session has a focus. Some days, I’m learning a new song or perfecting a technique – other days, I’m improvising or simply playing whatever feels right. The key is to make every session meaningful, no matter how short.
**TRACKING MY PROGRESS**
I keep a daily log of my practice - mostly through little videos I make of myself. Tracking helps me recognize patterns, acknowledge improvements, and remember what I’m working on, which keeps me motivated.

What I’ve Learned So Far …

1. BUILDING STRENGTH AND MASTERY OF BAR CHORDS

One of the most rewarding results of practicing daily is the noticeable improvement in my muscle strength, especially for bar chords. Bar chords have always been challenging for me – they’re hard on the fingers and require endurance I didn’t have. But after just a month, I can now play bar-chord-heavy songs for 15 minutes without tiring, a level of endurance I’d never reached before! This has taught me that consistency, even in small amounts, leads to growth in ways I didn’t expect.

2. TIMING IMPROVEMENTS WITH DAILY METRONOME PRACTICE

Using a metronome daily has completely transformed my sense of timing. Before this challenge, I’d use a metronome sporadically, and my rhythm would sometimes slip, making songs sound a bit off. Now, my rhythm feels solid and reliable, and I’m learning how to sync my movements precisely with the beat. My timing has improved so much that I can feel it impacting my overall confidence, especially when playing new or complex pieces.

3. LEARNING NEW SONGS AND TACKLING COMPLEX RHYTHMS

Thanks to daily practice, I’ve already added 3 new songs to my repertoire: Luz De Vida, Ciranda Do Santo Daime and Recado Da Mãe Divina. I’m also working on mastering two complex strumming patterns – the Gypsy Rumba (follow the link to the tutorial I am using) and a Brazilian rhythm called Timbalada. Both rhythms rely heavily on bar chords, which felt impossible a month ago. Tackling these new songs and rhythms has kept things exciting and challenging, and I’m looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish in the months ahead.

4. DISCOVERING PLAYFULNESS AND JOY IN THE GUITAR

An unexpected joy of this challenge has been the newfound sense of playfulness in my relationship with the guitar. After practicing focussed, I’ve started improvising and playing around on the guitar with no agenda – sometimes trying to pick out advertisement jingles or inventing little songs about my dog (I started singing him a bedtime song 😅). This playful approach has turned practice into a creative outlet, reminding me that music doesn’t have to be serious or perfect. Sometimes, it’s just about having fun and exploring without pressure.

5. THE DAYS I MISSED: LEARNING GRACE AND RESILIENCE

Although I’m committed to daily practice, I did end up missing 1 day. After traveling home following a particularly intense workshop, I was physically exhausted, emotionally drained, and had a doctor’s appointment for my mom. I just didn’t have the energy to play. But instead of seeing that missed day as a failure, I picked up my guitar the next day and continued without hesitation. This experience taught me that missing 1 day doesn’t disrupt consistency – it’s only when a missed day becomes two or three that we lose momentum.

6. CLAIMING MY SPACE AND CONFIDENCE IN MY RELATIONSHIP

This challenge has had unexpected personal benefits, especially when it comes to sharing my practice with my partner. He has a totally different taste in music – leaning toward German hip-hop, which is far from my style of spiritual and medicine music. At first, I felt a bit shy, wondering if he’d find my practice repetitive or if I’d be imposing my music on him. But as I practiced daily, I couldn’t hide my guitar away, and eventually, we had an open conversation. He was receptive, though he did ask for the occasional break after 20 minutes of hearing the same riff on repeat 😂. I’ve found that practicing openly in front of him has strengthened our connection and has allowed him to see just how important my music is to me.

7. FEELING AND SHARING MY PROGRESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Part of my challenge involves sharing my journey on social media, which at first felt vulnerable. But as I started to post updates, the response from people was inspiring. Many have told me how my consistency has motivated them to bring that same commitment to other areas of their lives. Knowing that my journey is inspiring others has added a layer of accountability and joy to this process. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t happen in isolation – it’s something we can foster together.

8. CONSISTENT BLOGGING AND INCREASED CREATIVE FLOW

Another beautiful side effect of daily practice has been the boost in my creativity outside of music. Committing to this challenge has naturally led me to reflect on my progress, and I’ve been more consistent with blogging and capturing these insights. It’s been amazing to see how the discipline and creative energy I’m bringing to music each day are spilling over into other areas of my life, enriching my overall creative output.

9. OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION AND REIGNITING PROGRESS ON MY SONGBOOK

One major breakthrough has been how this challenge has helped me get back to work on a project I’d been procrastinating: my songbook. In June 2023, I launched a crowdfunding campaign for a songbook of over 120 medicine songs. To my surprise, it was fully funded in less than 14 days! With such incredible support, I felt a deep responsibility to deliver, so I jumped in, working up to six hours a day on the project for a full month. But eventually, I burned out and set it aside, for over a year now.

Since beginning the 365-day music challenge, I’ve realized that small, consistent efforts can have a significant impact over time. Even 10-20 minutes each day adds up and builds momentum. This shift has been a game-changer for my workflow, helping me to finally make steady progress on the songbook as well without the pressure to work intensely all at once. The challenge has given me a new perspective on breaking down big projects into manageable, daily micro-goals, and I’m excited to keep applying this approach to other areas of my creative life.

Update: What I’ve Learned from Practicing Music Every Day for 30 Days

The Rules of the Challenge

What I’ve Learned So Far …

It’s Not Too Late to Join Me!

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Update: What I’ve Learned from Practicing Music Every Day for 30 Days

The Rules of the Challenge

What I’ve Learned So Far …

It’s Not Too Late to Join Me!

What a Busker Taught Me About Playing the Long Game in My Creative Journey

Beyond Perfection: How Music in Ceremony Acts as Both Catalyst and Mirror

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