There’s no doubt about it: learning to play an instrument is hard! When learning to play music for the first time, it’s inevitable that you’ll run into challenges and be frustrated at times. However, the overall learning process should be an enjoyable one. If it isn’t, you’re probably approaching it with the wrong mindset! While music lessons and consistent practice will take you far, to reach your overall music goals, you’ll need have a positive mindset. Ultimately, whether you succeed or fail as a musician all depends on how you approach the process and whether or not you possess a growth mindset.
What is a Growth Mindset?
Simply put, a “growth mindset” is all about how you view the learning experience and how you handle obstacles. People with a growth mindset understand that effort is required to achieve anything, and that the more time and energy you put into things, the more rewards you’ll see in the long run.
Key Features of a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is characterized by the following:
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- Viewing success and achievements as a product of hard work and effort
- Believing that intelligence and skills are a changeable trait
- Motivated by a desire to grow and learn
While all that sounds easy enough, the reality is most people possess a mindset that’s in direct opposition to a growth mindset. The term for this type of mindset is called a “fixed mindset.” The defining characteristic of a fixed mindset is a belief that talent is something you’re either born with or not. A fixed mindset is based on the assumption that you can’t change your abilities or skills no matter how much effort you put in. Hence, this type of mindset is detrimental to learning new skills and growing as a person. It’s no surprise then that in order to successfully learn how to play an instrument and be a real musician, you need to possess a growth mindset. With a growth mindset, you’ll be able to tackle any challenges that come your way and will find joy in learning something new and expanding beyond your comfort zone.
Benefits of a Growth Mindset
Some of the benefits of possessing a growth mindset include:
- The ability to persevere through challenges and bounce back easily from setbacks
- Not being afraid to make mistakes
- More self confidence
- Able to stay motivated no matter what
The end result of possessing a growth mindset is an increased sense of self-worth, a desire to learn and grow, and the belief that you can achieve most anything with enough hard work, concentrated effort, and relentless pursuit.
How To Develop a Growth Mindset
If you possess tendencies of a fixed mindset, rest assured you can train your brain to think with a growth mindset instead. To develop a growth mindset, you must:
- Recognize your fixed mindset patterns and behaviors
- Make a conscious effort to stop these behaviors and push negative thoughts from your mind
- Embrace growth
While switching from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset won’t happen overnight, it is indeed doable, and the benefits to your development as a musician will be enormous. If you need help fueling your growth as a musician and instilling a positive mindset, contact our team at Scottsdale Music Academy or sign up for one of our bass, drum, guitar, keyboard, or voice lessons. No matter what instrument you play, we’ll work with you to shed those old habits and help open up your mind to the world of possibilities waiting for you!