12 New Year's Resolutions for musicians that aren't "practice more"

Yes, practicing is beneficial, and having a practice schedule helps, but the likelihood of sticking to that schedule beyond February is low. There are many other ways musicians can develop their craft. Here are our suggestions for more inspiring New Year’s Resolutions for musicians in 2025.

Let’s start by setting our intention for the new year. If you want to practice more, why do you want to practice more? If your goal is to “become a better musician,” what does that mean to you?

There’s no right answer, but becoming a better musician might involve developing your ear to hear more nuance, improving your technique to play what you hear, or becoming a better listener or collaborator.

Whatever your goals are, let’s establish this as the baseline for your New Year’s resolutions: you want to enjoy making music even more.

Here are some resolutions to enhance your enjoyment of music:

1. Improvise more

Improvisation allows you to tap into your natural creativity and frees you from the pressure of getting it “right.” If you’ve never improvised before, it may seem daunting, but it’s essential to include it in your New Year’s resolutions!

Dedicate a portion of your practice time to improvisation and have fun! Choose a key and a steady beat, and let your creativity flow. You can also find a backing track (like this one) to provide structure.

If you’re already comfortable with improvisation, challenge yourself by exploring different meters, modes, and genres.

2. Use a metronome and tuner

A teacher once told me that a metronome and tuner are tools that bring you closer to the truth.

Regardless of your views on Truth, good rhythm, timing, and intonation are vital for musicianship. Would you prefer to listen to a group that is out of time and out of tune or one that is in time and in tune?

If you don’t regularly practice with a metronome and a tuner, it’s never too late to start seeking “truth” in your practice.

Did you know the Soundbrenner Core 2 is both a metronome and a tuner that fits on your wrist?

3. Learn new pieces regularly

Refresh your practice by learning new pieces.

Expand your musical horizons by finding songs that challenge you in different ways. You could set a goal to explore a new genre each month or learn a new song every week—whatever interests you.

The aim is to engage your muscles in new ways and explore sounds that are unfamiliar to you. This is also a great way to improve your sight-reading skills!

4. Listen to new genres

Being a musician isn’t solely about producing sound. You can gain inspiration and learn a lot just by listening.

Make it your New Year’s Resolution to diversify your 2025 Spotify Wrapped compared to 2024. Aim to double the number of new artists you discover this year.

5. Take care of your body

Music-making is a physical activity, and many musicians suffer injuries from repetitive movements. To enjoy making music, it’s essential to play without pain.

Be mindful of any strains your practice may impose on your body. Discover exercises that strengthen necessary muscles (your core, for example) and incorporate them into your routine. Don’t forget to stretch regularly and warm up before playing.

6. Meditate

Making music is also a mental activity.

A meditation practice can enhance your focus when creating music. Even a few minutes of calm, focused attention on your breath before playing can help clear your mind of distractions, allowing for a deeper connection to your music.

7. Collaborate with people regularly

Collaboration can take many forms, from casual jams to co-writing songs or reaching out to someone to mix your tracks.

Collaborating not only sparks creativity but also improves your listening and creation skills.

During times of social distancing, you can collaborate digitally by recording tracks and exchanging ideas or setting up fun challenges like this.

8. Create something original

If you’re tired of reproducing others’ work, 2025 is the perfect time to finish that song you started last year or realize the ideas brewing in your mind.

Set a specific time and date, block off all commitments, and give yourself the space to express your creativity.

9. Find an accountability partner

An accountability partner can provide support and structure for your goals. Find a like-minded friend—your goals don’t have to align—and set milestones to achieve by a certain time.

Use calendars to send reminders and keep each other motivated and accountable.

10. Experiment with DAWs

If you’re new to digital music production, 2025 is the year to explore DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). While there’s a learning curve, it’s worth the effort as part of your New Year’s resolutions.

Set a goal to create tracks regularly, and you’ll develop skills and discover new sounds along the way.

Check out our guide to the best DAWs, including free options.

11. Put yourself out there

If you’ve always been a closet musician, 2025 is the time to share your talent! Music is more enjoyable when you have an audience.

Upload a video or recording of your performance on social media, or, COVID-permitting, perform at an open mic.

If this feels daunting, start by sharing your music with close friends or family.

12. Learn the “why” behind the music

If you typically play songs just for enjoyment, consider learning why they resonate with you. This isn’t solely about music theory; it’s about gaining insight into the music you love and enriching your musical experience.

If you’re unsure where to start, there are many resources available, from general music analysis (like this and this) to theory lessons and deconstructions of specific songs.

We hope these 12 New Year's Resolutions for musicians inspire you as you head into 2025!