How to Actually Keep Your New Year’s Resolution to Learn an Instrument

Every January, thousands of people set the same goal: “This is the year I finally learn to play an instrument.”
And by February, most of those instruments are already collecting dust.

The problem isn’t motivation. It’s strategy.

If you want this year to be different—whether you’re an adult beginner or a parent helping your child start music lessons—here’s how people actually succeed at learning an instrument and sticking with it.

1. Stop Relying on Willpower

Willpower fades. Schedules don’t.

The biggest mistake beginners make is saying, “I’ll practice when I feel like it.” The people who succeed decide when they practice before motivation has a chance to disappear.

Pick a consistent day and time. Put it on your calendar like a real appointment. Treat it the same way you would a workout class or a work meeting.

Consistency beats intensity every time.

2. Choose Structure Over YouTube

Free videos are everywhere—but they’re also where most beginners get stuck.

Random tutorials don’t provide:

• A clear progression

• Accountability

• Feedback when something goes wrong

A structured lesson plan (especially with a teacher) gives you a roadmap. You know what to work on, why it matters, and what comes next. That clarity removes frustration and keeps momentum going.

3. Make Progress Visible

People quit when they feel like they’re not improving—even when they are.

Set small, measurable wins:

• Learn one chord

• Play one full song

• Master one scale

• Perform for a friend or family member

Tracking progress keeps your brain engaged and reinforces that the effort is working.

4. Short Sessions Win

You don’t need hour-long practice sessions to learn an instrument.

In fact, 20–30 minutes of focused practice is often more effective than longer, inconsistent sessions. Short practice windows lower the barrier to starting, which means you practice more often—and that’s what actually builds skill.

5. Tie Music to Enjoyment, Not Pressure

Music should be something you look forward to, not another source of stress.

Choose songs you recognize. Celebrate small wins. Let learning be fun, especially in the early stages. When enjoyment drops, so does consistency.

For kids especially, positive reinforcement and encouragement matter far more than perfection.

6. Accountability Changes Everything

This is the difference-maker.

People who take lessons—especially in a supportive, encouraging environment—stick with it far longer than those learning alone. Knowing someone is expecting you each week keeps you moving forward even on low-motivation days.

Make This the Year It Sticks

Learning an instrument isn’t about talent. It’s about systems, structure, and consistency.

If you’ve tried before and stopped, that doesn’t mean you failed—it means the setup failed. Change the system, and the result changes too.

This year, don’t just set the resolution. Build it in a way that lasts.