Measure your progress objectively

Sometimes when we practice our instrument, it is obvious that we are getting better. But there are times during practice when one starts to doubt if getting better is even possible.

Have you ever had that feeling? It's not pleasant. This blog post is all about keeping you from ever feeling that way. Okay, maybe not ever... but the more you follow what's written here, the more likely you'll keep making progress.

How to know you're making progress (and how to keep making progress)

The real key is objective measurement - a measurement that is the same no matter who takes it. In other words, you need a way to measure your progress that lets you be sure that you are actually getting better. Here are some way to do that:

1) Record yourself: I've written a blog post about already (which you can check out here), but the basic idea is that a recording doesn't lie. If you practice to the best of your abilities, and record yourself every week or so, you should see yourself getting better with each new recording. It's a good idea to save the old ones, too. That way you can really see the progress you've made!

2) Use a metronome: The metronome doesn't lie. It keeps the beat, and it can let you know exactly how fast you can play something.

Suppose you're working on the intro to a song, and the full speed of the song is 100BPM (beats per minute). Find a speed where you can play it correctly, and then try another, faster speed. Stop when you reach a speed you can't seem to play, and write down the fastest speed you were capable of playing.

If you repeat this process every time your practice, you'll be able to play faster and faster speeds, which is proof that you're getting faster (and better) at the song.

3) Keep a log or journal (checklist, etc)


Take notes on your progress. Write about what you're having trouble with, and what seems to be going well. Do this every time you practice. This way when you look back after a weeks at your notes, you should see that some things that were difficult have gotten a lot easier.

Which of these methods should I use to measure my progress?

Use whichever methods you think will help motivate you best. Using a metronome is probably the easiest way to check your progress, and I have used one many times with great success. These days I usually record myself (since most of what I work on is part of some recording project or another), and I've been happy with that method.

Making sure you are progressing will help keep you motivated, and ensure that you keep practicing and realizing your dream of being a successful musician and artist.