7 Mistakes You’re Making with Online Music Learning (and How to Fix Them)
Hey there, beautiful soul!
Let me guess, you've jumped into online music learning with all the excitement in the world, maybe even bookmarked a dozen YouTube tutorials and downloaded a few apps. But somewhere along the way, things got... complicated?
Trust me, you're not alone. I've been there, and so have thousands of other music lovers who thought online learning would be their golden ticket to musical mastery. The thing is, online music learning is incredible, but only when you avoid the sneaky mistakes that can derail your progress.
Today, I'm sharing the seven biggest mistakes I see people make (and yes, I've made most of these myself), plus the simple fixes that'll get you back on track. Ready? Let's dive in.
Mistake #1: Skipping the Setup (And Paying for It Later)
You know that feeling when you're so excited to start that you just... start? No proper workspace, maybe using your phone's tiny speakers, sitting on your couch with terrible posture, sound familiar?
Here's the truth: Your learning environment shapes everything. When you're learning online, you don't have a teacher physically there to correct your posture or suggest better equipment. That means the setup is entirely on you.
The fix: Create a dedicated learning space, even if it's just a corner of your room. Get decent headphones or speakers, your ears will thank you. Make sure you're sitting with good posture and have proper lighting. Your future self (and your back) will be grateful.
Mistake #2: Choosing Songs That Are Way Above Your Level
Oh, this one hits close to home! You hear your favorite song and think, "I'm gonna learn that right now!" Next thing you know, you're frustrating yourself trying to master something that requires techniques you haven't even learned yet.
I get it, learning "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" doesn't feel as exciting as diving into that complex piece that gives you chills. But here's the thing: every song teaches you something, and rushing ahead often means missing crucial foundations.
The fix: Choose songs that challenge you just slightly above your current level, what music educators call the "sweet spot." You should be able to play about 80% of it with your current skills. This keeps you motivated without overwhelming you.
Mistake #3: Becoming a Digital Tools Addict
Apps, software, YouTube channels, online courses, there are so many amazing tools out there! But I've seen people collect digital tools like they're collecting baseball cards, jumping from one to another without really diving deep into any of them.
The problem? You end up learning about music instead of actually making music. You become great at consuming content but struggle when it's time to actually play.
The fix: Pick 2-3 quality resources and stick with them. Spend more time with your instrument than with your screen. Set a rule: for every hour of video content you watch, spend at least two hours practicing hands-on.
Mistake #4: Rushing Through Lessons Like You're Late for Something
Here's a scene that might sound familiar: You're watching a tutorial, the instructor plays something, you try it once or twice, think "Yeah, I got it," and move on to the next lesson. Meanwhile, your muscle memory is screaming, "Wait, we're not ready!"
Online learning can make us feel like we need to consume content quickly, but music lives in your hands and ears, not in how many lessons you've completed.
The fix: Slow down, beautiful. Master each concept before moving forward. If a lesson recommends practicing something for a week, actually practice it for a week. Your progress might feel slower, but it'll be so much more solid.
Mistake #5: Learning Without Direction (AKA Musical Wandering)
You open your laptop, stare at your instrument, and think... "What should I work on today?" Without a teacher guiding your path, it's easy to jump around aimlessly: a little scales here, a new song there, maybe some theory if you're feeling ambitious.
The reality: Without clear goals, you're not making progress: you're just staying busy.
The fix: Set specific, achievable goals for each practice session and each month. Instead of "get better at guitar," try "master the chord progression for 'Wonderwall' by next Friday" or "be able to play scales smoothly at 120 BPM by month's end." Write them down somewhere you'll see them.
Mistake #6: Treating Every Distraction as an Emergency
Your phone buzzes. Someone's at the door. That interesting thing just popped into your head that you need to google right now. Before you know it, your 45-minute practice session became 15 minutes of scattered attention.
Online learning requires even more focus than in-person lessons because you are your own accountability partner. Every distraction is a choice to step away from your musical growth.
The fix: Create boundaries around your practice time. Put your phone in another room, tell your family you're not available, close unnecessary tabs on your computer. Treat this time as sacred: because it is.
Mistake #7: Practicing the Same Mistakes Over and Over
This is the big one, and it's sneaky because it feels like you're being productive. You practice that tricky passage 50 times, but you keep making the same error. Without a teacher there to catch it, you're actually strengthening the wrong muscle memory.
Here's what's happening: Your brain is learning to do it wrong really well. And once muscle memory sets in, it's much harder to unlearn than to learn correctly from the start.
The fix: Practice slowly and mindfully. If you make a mistake, stop immediately: don't just push through. Break challenging parts into smaller chunks. Use a metronome to keep yourself honest. And when something isn't working, take a step back and approach it differently rather than just trying harder.
Your Musical Journey Doesn't Have to Be Perfect
Look, I want you to know something important: making mistakes is part of the journey. I've made every single one of these mistakes (some more than once), and they didn't ruin my musical path: they taught me what actually works.
The beautiful thing about online music learning is that you have access to incredible resources and the freedom to learn at your own pace. But with that freedom comes the responsibility to be your own best teacher.
You've got this. And remember: every professional musician started exactly where you are right now, making these same mistakes and learning these same lessons.
Your musical journey is uniquely yours, and I'm honored to be part of it. Keep playing, keep growing, and most importantly, keep enjoying the incredible gift of making music.
Want more personalized guidance on your musical journey? I'd love to connect with you. Visit my website and let's chat about how we can make your musical dreams a reality.
Keep making beautiful music, xx
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