I do have one good idea, which I got from another horn player on Facebook: monthly virtual recitals. This is where I schedule a Zoom meeting at the end of the month and we all get on there, and each student plays something at the meeting. It can be a solo piece they're working on, or something out of a method book or a song from a movie or video game, or a pop song...whatever! The point is that it will give them something concrete to look forward to every month, so they're practice for it. And they get to play for each other and interact. It's a great idea!
I also got an idea from a student to use the GooseChase app to create a points contest for accomplishing certain goals, such as researching something or making a video.
But anyways, I feel partially responsible for getting these kids motivated. And I feel like I can make a better effort to do so.
I also have work to do on motivating myself, but in a different way. See, unlike some of my students, I am totally motivated to practice--I just don't have a lot of time to do so right now. And that, combined with not having any performances upcoming, has left me without really any standards set for myself. I feel like I'm getting to the point right now where I think, "gee, that doesn't sound as good, but that's because I don't practice enough." No, that doesn't sit well with me. I gotta trust myself to do better, first of all, based on my experience. But also, I gotta get myself to find more time to practice somehow. If you knew what my everyday life was like, you'd understand how challenging it is to get adequate practice time.
So, I've set goals for myself. I have created a page on my website here called "Practice Vlog" as you can see. At the end of each week, I will post videos of myself playing through etudes, orchestral pieces, ensemble pieces and solo pieces that I assign myself. I'm basically putting myself in the role of a student once again, but the fact that I am video recording myself playing through an entire piece and posting it online will hopefully motivate me to set the bar higher for myself. If I really want to get better at this thing, I gotta take no prisoners.
Those who care to keep up with this Practice Vlog are very welcome to comment and leave feedback...just try to make it positive or constructive, please.
So we'll see how it goes. And we'll see if I write in this blog more often...
Take care and value music.