Should Musicians Avoid Mistakes?
I’ll admit, I’m a bit fired up about the topic of mistakes lately, so I hope you’ll read to the end because it’s an incredibly important topic! 
I see so many musicians weighed down by each mistake they make, apologizing for not being “better” instead of appreciating what they CAN do and how far they’ve come! Musicians, this is holding us back when we’re trying to move forwards. It’s making us miserable when we could be joyful and inspired. When we’re thankful for where we are and what we can do, we’re also excited about where we can go next! (It’s the opposite of guilt-tripping ourselves for not already being there. 
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You see, musicians don’t become professionals because they never make mistakes. I don’t teach flute at a college because I play everything perfectly and know everything. I didn’t make it through 12 years of music school by avoiding mistakes in the practice room and lessons. (It’s simply not possible!)
As musicians of any age and skill level, it’s time to flip our mindset here collectively. I know without a doubt that I’m more successful as a musician and a teacher BECAUSE I’ve made what feels like nearly every mistake possible. Those mistakes helped me learn how to manage issues, and more importantly, how to prevent them in the future! (For example, now I’m an expert in mistake recovery during performances, a skill I couldn’t be more thankful for!) Each mistake is a page in a book, and I’ve got a library full of books that have helped me become a stronger, more capable player. 
Friends, mistakes are not a judges gavel condemning our playing as forever “not good enough.” Mistakes are a door to walk through, a road map telling us where to go next. We need to listen to what those mistakes are telling us instead of rejecting their friendly (but offputting) help. My mistakes often tell me what I should practice more, what I need more guidance on, and what’s possible if I keep trying. Yes, they can be unpleasant and uncomfortable! But I’m also thankful for those friendly neon signs that tell me where to go next. Without them, I’d be lost.
If musical skill is a linear path, you are where you are. From there, you have two choices: 1) Wish you were farther on the path and feel bad for where you aren’t yet (which is highly unpleasant and focuses your attention and appreciation on the future where you have no control). Or 2) Appreciate where you are by recognizing how far you’ve come (which is so much more enjoyable and gives you control over the time you have RIGHT NOW).
Today, I’d like you to trust and take comfort from two facts:
You are exactly where you need to be.
You WILL get to where you want to be. It’s only a matter of figuring out HOW, not if.
(If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get there, others can help make it easier to figure out the “how!” Teachers, friends, family, outside experiences, aka things that can’t be found in a practice room…)
So if you’re a musician feeling burdened by your mistakes or struggles today, let’s all take a moment to recognize and remember all of the incredible progress we’ve made!!
How have your mistakes helped you grow as a musician? What kinds of things are you more skilled at than a year ago? Let me know in the comments so I can celebrate with you! 
Say hello!
If you’d ever like to talk about how YOU can improve your musical journey with a healthy mindset, creativity, or gamification, I’d love to talk to you! Head on over to the Contact page to say hello, or check out my spiffy Practice Hack Stack Game if you want to level up your practice skills!
Have fun and game on,
About the Author | Dr. Stephanie Hoeckley, Flutist, Educator, & Gamification Guru
Hi! It’s nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by my blog! My name is Dr. Stephanie Hoeckley, and I’m a professional flutist and music educator in Phoenix, AZ. I’m a firm believer in making all activities as fun and enjoyable as possible, especially with music games and gamification! I use gamification to help musicians and educators like you hack your motivation, organize your time, and level up your performance skills so you can create the musical reality of your dreams! And I help music educators activate this same superpower for their students, too.
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