There are many different types of motivation for practice.
- Internal pressure – the sincere desire to grow and improve.
- Societal pressure – wanting to keep up with peers.
- Authority’s pressure – director or teacher’s demands or encouragement.
- Grade pressure – wanting a good grade on a jury or exam.
- Performance pressure – knowing an audience will hear the outcome of your practice.
- Streak pressure – wanting to keep or extend a streak of practice.
Realistically, we all rely on all of these types of pressure at one time or another. As conductors, we can be mindful of these different motivators and strive to make sure they exist in our students.