Why Your Practice Isn’t Working: Take a Video

Alistair Smith
Feb 7
5 min read

This is the final instalment in our Why Your Practice Isn't Working series. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored ways to make your practice time more focused, intentional and effective. This week, we’re looking at one of the most powerful — and often most avoided — tools available to any musician: video recording.

If your practice feels busy but not productive, if you’re putting in the hours but not seeing the results you expect, there’s a good chance you’re missing one crucial element: honest feedback. And one of the simplest ways to access that feedback is by taking a video.

Why taking a video matters

For many musicians, the idea of recording themselves is deeply uncomfortable. Most of us tense up as soon as a camera appears, never mind choosing to press record voluntarily. We worry about how we look, how we sound, or whether what we’re doing is “good enough”.

Often, the real reason we avoid video is simple: we don’t always like what we see.

A video recording, in its most basic form, is nothing more than a factual record of what happened. It shows who was there and what they did, from the fixed perspective of the camera. Put plainly — cameras don’t lie. They capture exactly what is placed in front of them.

Yes, filters and editing tools exist, but they don’t truly change the content of the recording. They only disguise it. When we watch an honest, unfiltered video of ourselves playing, we’re confronted with the reality of how we actually perform — not how we think we perform.

That can be uncomfortable. But it can also be transformational.

The gap between what we think and what we do

One of the biggest challenges in effective practice is the gap between intention and reality.

You may feel that your posture is stable.

You may think your rhythm is consistent.

You may be confident your dynamics are clear and expressive.

But feelings are unreliable indicators of performance.

Our brains are busy doing multiple jobs at once while playing: reading, listening, coordinating movement, managing nerves and anticipating what comes next. Because of this, our internal perception is often incomplete — and sometimes completely inaccurate.

A video allows you to step outside that moment and become an observer rather than a participant. You can suddenly see things that were invisible while playing:

tension in the shoulders or hands
uneven breathing
unclear articulation
inconsistent tempo
unnecessary movement
moments where confidence drops

This kind of feedback is incredibly difficult to access any other way.

Instant, objective feedback

One of the greatest strengths of video recording is immediacy.

Unlike verbal feedback, which relies on memory and interpretation, a video captures information your brain simply cannot hold on to in real time. You can pause it, replay it, slow it down and watch it again — instantly.

This creates a powerful feedback loop:

Play
Watch
Reflect
Adjust
Play again

That loop dramatically increases the efficiency of your practice. Instead of repeating mistakes unconsciously, you begin to practise with awareness and intention.

And this doesn’t only highlight problems — it also reveals progress.

Many musicians underestimate how motivating it can be to see improvement.

Watching an older video alongside a recent one can clearly show gains in confidence, control, sound quality or musicality that may otherwise go unnoticed.

“Growth and comfort never coexist”

Craig Groeschel says, “Growth and comfort never coexist.” This idea is especially relevant to music practice.

If we only practise in ways that feel safe, familiar and comfortable, progress will eventually stall. Real improvement requires us to confront the areas that need work — and video does exactly that.

This doesn’t mean criticising yourself harshly or hunting for flaws. In fact, one of the most important skills to develop when using video is balanced reflection.

When watching yourself back, aim to notice:

what needs improvement
what has improved
what is working well

This balanced approach keeps feedback constructive rather than demoralising.

Building confidence through recording

Interestingly, video recording can also be a powerful confidence booster.

Many musicians leave a performance or practice session feeling disappointed, only to watch the recording later and realise it wasn’t nearly as bad as they thought. In some cases, it’s even better.

Our emotional response in the moment is often distorted by nerves, perfectionism or unrealistic expectations. A video provides distance and perspective. It allows you to judge your performance more fairly and more kindly.

Over time, regular recording also helps normalise the feeling of being observed — which can significantly reduce performance anxiety. The camera becomes familiar rather than threatening.

How often should you record?

The ideal frequency depends on your level, goals and current workload.

For some musicians, recording once a week is enough. Others may benefit from fortnightly or monthly recordings. The key is consistency, not volume.

You don’t need to record your entire practice session. In fact, short recordings are often far more effective. A focused 30–60 second clip of something you’re actively working on is usually more than enough to generate meaningful feedback.

Keeping it simple

Thanks to modern smartphones, recording yourself has never been easier — or cheaper.

You don’t need professional equipment, special lighting or perfect acoustics. Simply:

place your phone where it can clearly see what matters (hands, posture, embouchure, bowing, etc.)
ensure the sound is clear enough to assess
press record

That’s it.

The video doesn’t need to go online. It doesn’t need to be shared. You don’t even have to keep it. You can delete it as soon as you’ve watched it back if you wish.

The value lies in the process, not the product.

Turning observation into action

Watching a video alone isn’t enough — reflection is what makes it powerful.

After watching, write down a few short notes:

one or two things to improve
one or two things that went well

If you’ve been keeping a practice journal (as discussed in last week’s blog), this is the perfect place for these reflections. They give your next practice session direction and clarity.

Instead of asking, “What should I practise today?”, you already have specific, informed answers.

Start today

Next time you practise, try this:

Record a 30–60 second video of something you’re currently working on
Watch it back once without judgement
Make a few brief notes
Continue practising with those notes in mind

You may be surprised by how effective this simple habit can be.

If your practice hasn’t been producing the results you want, it may not be about working harder — it may be about seeing more clearly.

Sometimes, the fastest way forward is simply to press record.

If you're looking to grow and develop as a musician or looking to learn to play to play for yourself, friends and family, consider music lessons here at The Music Hub. We offer a curriculum based approach to learning guitar, drums, singing, bass and more. To book a free 30 min taster session, use the link below.

www.themusic-hub.co.uk/book

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