With the school year and recital season behind us, summer is finally here! For many students, this means a chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy a change of pace. It can also be the perfect opportunity to approach music a little differently.
Summer doesn’t have to be about long practice sessions or preparing for big performances. Instead, it can be a time to explore, have fun, and reconnect with the joy of making music. In this article, we’ll share a few simple and achievable musical goals that can help keep students engaged throughout the summer months.
Learn a Favorite Song
During the school year, students often spend much of their time working on assigned pieces and exercises. Summer is a great opportunity to learn something simply because you love it.
Whether it’s a pop song, a movie theme, or a favorite piece from a video game, learning one special song can be incredibly motivating and rewarding.
Explore a New Genre of Music
Do you usually play classical music? Try some jazz, folk, or movie music. Love pop songs? Explore a little blues or musical theatre.
Listening to and playing different styles of music helps students become more well-rounded musicians and often introduces them to sounds and ideas they never expected to enjoy.
Write Something of Your Own
You don’t need to be an expert to start creating music. Summer is the perfect time to experiment with songwriting, improvisation, or composing a short melody.
Try writing:
- A short tune
- A simple chord progression
- A few song lyrics
- A rhythm pattern
- A melody inspired by summer
The goal isn’t perfection; it’s creativity and exploration!
Perform for Family and Friends
Not every performance needs a stage or an audience of hundreds. Playing a song for grandparents, performing at a family gathering, or simply sharing music with friends can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Informal performances help students build confidence while keeping music social and enjoyable.
Discover New Music
One of the easiest ways to grow as a musician is simply by listening.
Challenge yourself to discover:
- A new artist
- A new genre
- A famous composer
- A soundtrack you haven’t heard before
The more music students listen to, the more ideas and inspiration they bring back to their own playing.
Set a Small, Achievable Goal
Summer goals don’t need to be big. In fact, small goals are often the most successful.
Examples might include:
- Practice three times a week
- Learn one new scale
- Memorize a favorite song
- Play for someone else
- Try something new on your instrument
Small successes build confidence and help keep momentum going into the fall.
Closing Notes
Summer can be a wonderful time for musical growth—not because students are working harder, but because they have more freedom to explore, create, and enjoy music in new ways.
By setting a few simple goals and keeping music fun and flexible, students can stay connected to their instruments while making some wonderful musical memories along the way.
If you’re looking for ways to keep music going this summer, we’d be happy to help! Our school offers flexible lesson options that can help students set fun, personalized goals that fit perfectly into their summer schedules!
