Keep Playing Through the Cold with Motivation, Music, and Care
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, it’s easy for even the most dedicated musicians to fall out of rhythm — literally.
Between holiday travel, colder practice rooms, and the post-recital lull, late fall and winter can derail even the best practice intentions. But it’s also a perfect season to reset, refresh your goals, and build cozy, consistent routines that will carry you through to spring.
Whether you’re a parent encouraging a young student, a teacher rebooting your studio, or a musician rekindling your momentum, here’s how to reset your practice routine for fall and winter success.
🎯 1. Reignite Your Musical Goals
The back-to-school surge is over — now is a great time to set fresh, short-term goals for the colder months ahead.
- Ideas for winter goal setting:
- Prepare a holiday piece to perform for friends or family
- Learn a new scale each week
- Focus on bow control, intonation, or sight reading
- Build endurance with a 10-day practice streak challenge
🎁 Tip for Teachers & Parents: Turn goals into a holiday incentive! A new rosin, string set, or even a festive music-themed notebook makes a great reward.
🗓 2. Create a Cold-Weather Practice Schedule
Dark afternoons and busy calendars make practice harder — especially for younger students. But structure helps.
Try this:
- Practice before dinner instead of after — avoid post-meal sleepiness
- Set shorter, more frequent sessions (e.g., 15 minutes, twice a day)
- Use a visual tracker to build momentum
🎄Holiday bonus: Plan for gaps! Create a travel-friendly practice kit or set a "minimum viable practice" goal for time away from home.
🧊 3. Winter-Proof Your Instrument and Bow
Cold, dry air is tough on wooden instruments and bows. Cracks, open seams, and brittle bow hair are all common in the coming months.
Fall-Winter Instrument Care Checklist:
- Use a case humidifier (e.g., Stretto, Oasis, or Dampit)
- Keep a hygrometer in your case — aim for 40–60% humidity
- Always loosen your bow hair after playing
- Avoid storing your case near heaters, vents, or car trunks
- Keep a soft cloth in your case to wipe rosin daily
- Replace old strings before winter concerts — cold temps can speed wear
🎻 If your bow is losing hairs unevenly or won’t hold rosin, it’s time for a rehair.
❄ 4. Embrace Seasonal Repertoire
Add some variety — and joy — to practice with fall- and winter-themed pieces!
Repertoire ideas:
- Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons
- Holiday favorites: O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Carol of the Bells, Silent Night
- Cozy, lyrical melodies like Ashokan Farewell or Appalachian Waltz
📚 Teachers: Now is the perfect time to introduce ensemble music or duets for winter concerts or recitals.
🔥 5. Make Practice Cozy & Consistent
- As the temperature drops, create a warm, inviting space to play.
- Add a lamp with warm light for darker evenings
- Keep your instrument at room temperature — avoid storing it in cold areas
- Use sticky notes or motivational quotes near your music stand
- Sip a warm drink post-practice to build a positive habit loop
Parents: If your child is practicing solo, make it social by listening in, clapping along, or recording a video for loved ones.
🎻 Keep the Music Going with Shar
Whether you're just getting back to bowing or staying consistent through the colder months, Shar Music is here to help. From string sets and humidifiers to sheet music and accessories, we’ve got everything you need to keep the music flowing through fall and winter.
