Introduction
Finding time to practice music is one of the most common challenges musicians face — whether you’re a busy professional, student, or simply living a full life. In this Bansuri Bliss Q&A (#24), Dr. Kerry Kriger answers a question from his student Sunil in Nepal: “How can I find more time to practice?”
His answer revolves around three timeless principles: discipline, sacrifice, and wise use of free time. Follow these steps and you’ll discover that you can always make time for music — even on your busiest days.
Watch the video for practical tips from Dr. Kerry Kriger, who has always had a profession other than music, yet has practiced music daily for decades.
1. Discipline: Set a Clear Daily Goal and Stick to It
Start by choosing a realistic daily practice target and treat it like an important appointment. Whether it’s 10 minutes or two hours, consistency matters most.
- Pick a specific daily goal — e.g., one hour per day; or 20 minutes every morning or 40 minutes before bed.
- Make it slightly more ambitious than your comfort zone to keep improving.
- Schedule practice on your calendar as a non-negotiable appointment.
- Don’t go to sleep without having played at least some music.
When you feel like stopping, play for five more minutes. That small push helps build discipline and steady progress.
2. Sacrifice: Choose What To Keep and What To Let Go
Making time for music often requires letting go of other activities — not because they’re bad, but because your priorities define your growth.
- Re-evaluate how you spend your time and drop low-value habits.
- Say “no” to activities that don’t serve your goals or joy.
- Remember: what you sacrifice for your music today becomes your progress tomorrow.
If improving as a musician truly matters, carve out the space for it and protect that time.
3. Wise Use of Free Time: Practice in Pockets
Even if your schedule feels packed, you likely have small windows of opportunity to play. Use them. Carry your flute everywhere and make use of waiting time.
- Practice while waiting for the bus, train, or your next meeting.
- Keep a portable flute case for spontaneous practice sessions.
- Combine practice with recreation — play during a walk or hike in nature.
Five minutes here and there adds up. With consistent use of small pockets of time, your progress accelerates effortlessly.
Sample Daily Routine
- Morning: 10–15 minutes of tone and scale work
- Afternoon break: 5–10 minutes of ornaments or exercises
- Evening: 15–20 minutes working on compositions or improvisation
In reality, WHAT you practice matters a lot less than WHETHER you practice. Put your flute to your mouth and play music. That’s what’s important…and enjoyable.
Video Highlights (Timestamps)
- 00:00 — Introduction & the three pillars of consistent practice
- 00:49 — Set a realistic daily time goal
- 01:28 — Practice right after waking up or before bed
- 02:12 — Put practice time on your calendar
- 02:46 — Make sacrifices and prioritize music
- 03:36 — Use free moments wisely
- 04:29 — Always carry your flute
- 05:18 — Combine practice with enjoyable activities like hiking
Final Thoughts
Improvement in music comes from consistency. Discipline builds momentum. Sacrifice opens time. Wise time use turns idle minutes into growth. The best time to start is now — even five minutes today moves you closer to mastery. The more practice, the better you will be, and the more Bansuri Bliss you will experience and share with others.
If you’re ready to deepen your bansuri journey, explore the full Bansuri Bliss Academy, where you’ll find 180+ hours of video lessons, 400+ pages of notation, and weekly live sessions with expert guidance.
