practice an instrument

Meaning

This phrase means to repeatedly play a musical instrument, such as the piano, guitar, or violin, in order to improve one's skills. It describes the routine effort of learning and perfecting musical techniques. The tone is neutral and used by students, teachers, and musicians.

Examples

• If you want to get better, you need to practice an instrument every single day.

  If you want to get better, you need to practice an instrument every single day.

• She finds it relaxing to practice an instrument after a stressful day at school.

  She finds it relaxing to practice an instrument after a stressful day at school.

• My parents always encouraged me to practice an instrument when I was growing up.

  My parents always encouraged me to practice an instrument when I was growing up.

• It is difficult to practice an instrument if you live in a noisy apartment building.

  It is difficult to practice an instrument if you live in a noisy apartment building.

• He spends at least two hours a day trying to practice an instrument.

  He spends at least two hours a day trying to practice an instrument.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to train my guitar for an hour.

  ✓ I need to practice my guitar for an hour.

  In English, you 'train' for sports or physical activities, but you 'practice' a musical instrument or a skill.

• ✗ She plays practice on the piano every afternoon.

  ✓ She practices the piano every afternoon.

  'Practice' is used as a verb directly with the instrument, or as a noun in the phrase 'do some practice'. You do not 'play practice'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want to join the school band, you should ___ daily.

  💡 Spend time playing music to get better.

  Show answer

  practice an instrument

• It takes patience and dedication to ___ like the violin.

  💡 Train your musical skills on a device.

  Show answer

  practice an instrument