When Practice Isn’t Fun Anymore: What to Do When Music Stops Feeling Inspiring

Have you ever found yourself staring down your stand, wondering how you’re going to play that same passage again—let alone find any joy in it?

You know the one. The excerpt you’ve worked on for years. The concerto you’ve memorized backwards and forwards. The scale pattern your fingers know better than your name.

And still… you’re dragging yourself into the practice room. You feel flat. You’re not inspired.

And you’re not even sure if you care anymore.

If this sounds familiar, I want to start by saying: you’re not alone.

When the joy disappears

This happened to me not long ago. I was preparing for something big. The kind of opportunity that normally lights me up. But for three solid weeks, I could barely feel a spark.

The work felt heavy. I didn’t enjoy the practicing. And honestly? I don’t think I enjoyed a single minute of my life during that stretch—at least not in the practice room.

But here’s what kept me going: I stayed connected to my why.

Even though the practice itself felt dull and repetitive, I knew what it was all for. I love my work. I live for Puccini, for Verdi, for the moments on stage that take your breath away. And I reminded myself that this process—the part that didn’t feel good—was the path to doing more of what I love.

That clarity was what carried me through.

When you lose the spark, you’re not doing it wrong

The truth is, music you’ve played for years can absolutely lose its shine sometimes. That doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It doesn’t mean you’re not passionate or dedicated enough. It means you’re human.

If you’re in that place right now, I want to offer two simple reminders:

You can reconnect to your purpose—and let that carry you.
You can refresh your practice with tiny shifts that reignite curiosity.

Let’s talk about both.

Step one: Reconnect to your “why”

When you’re stuck in a rut, zoom out. Here are a few ways to tap back into the reason you started this path:

Visualize the outcome – Picture yourself on the stage you love, making music you care about. Let that vision ground your next session.
Journal your “why” – Keep a sticky note on your stand that says, “This is why I’m doing this.” Maybe it’s to perform with passion. To express your truth. To bring beauty into the world. Whatever your why is—write it down, and read it often.
Celebrate the process – Even showing up is a win. Especially when it’s hard. Acknowledge the resilience and discipline you’re building every time you come back to the work.

Step two: Bring freshness back with joyful practice

Once you’re reconnected to your why, you can gently reawaken curiosity with small, creative shifts. These are some of my favorites from the Joyful Practice Guide:

Pick one teeny tiny thing – Focus on one note, one shift, one vibrato. Ask, “What haven’t I tried yet?” Explore it five new ways.
Channel your favorite musician – Play your piece like your musical hero. What would they emphasize? What kind of sound would they aim for?
Switch the order – Start your piece from the coda. Flip your routine. Change the sequence. It wakes up your brain and keeps things fresh.
Add a reward – Tackle something hard, then treat yourself with something you love to play. It trains your brain to associate effort with something positive.
Play with tenderness – No fixing. No judgment. Just play something beautiful for the joy of it. This is your reset button.

If any of that feels like what you need right now, you can grab the full Joyful Practice Guide for free at mindoverfinger.com.

If you're feeling stuck—I’m here to help

If this post resonates with you, and you’re dealing with that same disconnection or burnout in your practice, know that you're not alone. These are the kinds of challenges we face head-on inside the Music Mastery Experience.

It’s a space where we bring structure, motivation, and purpose back into your musical life—so you can grow with clarity and confidence, without burnout.

If this sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, I’d love to invite you to apply for the next cohort. Spots are limited, and it’s starting soon—so visit mindoverfinger.com to learn more and apply today.

And if you haven’t already, be sure to catch the full episode of the podcast:🎧 222 When Practice Isn’t Fun Anymore – What to Do When Music Stops Feeling Inspiring

Available now wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube.

Until next time, happy practicing!

Always standing in your corner, Renée