09/28/2026
Blog Post # 17
Practice Tips Series: Embracing the Process
by Dr. Amber Den Exter
Increasingly, we live in a world driven by instant gratification and short-term reward. A world where we can get almost anything we want in little to no time, and where digital platforms have us constantly seeking our next dopamine hit. And don't get me wrong, I enjoy my TikTok scrolling binges as much as the next person! But when it comes to learning a musical instrument, constantly seeking results might not be the best approach.
F. M. Alexander, founder of the Alexander Technique, discovered a phenomenon which he called “end-gaining vs. the means whereby”. Before founding the Alexander Technique, he was a Shakespearean actor, immersed in the world of the dramatic monologue. But he was struggling with hoarseness after every performance and desired to get to the bottom of it. He took matters into his own hands and, using a series of mirrors, he began to observe his habitual behaviors when acting. In so doing, not only did he notice patterns of physical tension in his body, but he also noticed that his focus was on the end result of each monologue (end-gaining) rather than on the process and manner of ex*****on (the means whereby). Using what he called “inhibition” (pausing mid action), he was able to move from an end-gaining focus to a means whereby focus, putting his attention onto the quality of his movements instead. Consequently, he was able to replace his unhelpful movement habits with helpful ones and, yes, he cured his hoarseness! And, of course, an important byproduct of the whole experiment was the development of the Alexander Technique.
I think the same principles that Alexander discovered can apply to music practice. Of course, we need to have goals, both short- and long-term. Without them, we have no framework for our learning. But if we are only governed by our goals, we can lose sight of the “means whereby”, the moment-to-moment act of practicing and making music. In some ways, this is actually what it's all about. Remember, music is a journey rather than a destination. It's not just that we make it from A to B, but how we get from A to B! Here are some suggestions for ways that we can stay present with our learning journeys and avoid an end-gaining focus.
Try inhibition in your practice, as per the Alexander Technique. Next time you are practicing and in the middle of a task, inhibit the task, that is, randomly pause what you're doing mid-action in order to check on the quality of your movements and technique. This method is specifically designed to bring us from end-gaining back to a means whereby focus.
Practice acceptance of any detours, pauses, or challenges that may arise. Anyone who has ever learned a new skill can tell you that learning rarely goes in a straight line. In fact, there are twists and turns and some days may feel like great practice days, and others less so. But even on those less good practice days, remember that you are still on the right path and your efforts always count for something.
At the end of the day, learning an instrument is a great and exciting challenge, not to be achieved overnight. Learning to embrace the process, whatever that means to you, will surely serve you well in this endeavor!
