Rhythms Over Routines: A Musician’s Approach to Life and Teaching

We often hear productivity experts tell us to build a routine. Things like, wake up at 5 AM, exercise, journal, practice. And while there’s nothing wrong with structure, as musicians and teachers, we know life doesn’t always follow a neat checklist.

Instead of striving for rigid routines, I’ve learned to live by rhythms. Rhythms allow for consistency andflexibility, while routines often feel rigid and guilt-inducing.

Here’s why rhythms matter more than routines and how you can build them into your teaching, practice, and everyday life.

Routines vs. Rhythms

A routine is a fixed sequence: “Do this, then that, every day.” It thrives on predictability. But the moment life throws us a curveball - illness, travel, a child’s schedule, or even an unexpected burst of creativity - that rigid routine often crumbles.

A rhythm, on the other hand, is like music. It has structure, but also space for rests, syncopation, and flow. Think of it like a time signature. Your rhythm may be a steady 4/4, or it may shift into 3/4 when the season calls for it.

For example:

   •   A routine says: “Practice piano from 7:00–7:30 AM every single day.”

   •   A rhythm says: “My days always include music, but the timing and length flex depending on what the day needs.”

As teachers, we’ve all had students come in frustrated because they “broke their practice routine.” What if instead, we helped them create practice rhythms and focus on small musical moments woven into daily life, rather than keeping a rigid schedule?

The Musical and Spiritual Beauty of Rhythm

Rhythms aren’t just practical. They’re deeply woven into who we are as humans and artists.

🎹 Musical rhythm: Without rhythm, there’s no music. Rhythm holds us, guides us, and creates anticipation. But notice that it isn’t rigid. A conductor might push the tempo slightly forward, a jazz trio might swing differently each night, a hymn might breathe differently depending on the congregation.

✝️ Spiritual rhythm: In many faith traditions, rhythms of prayer, worship, and rest sustain people across centuries. Think about Sabbath - the rhythm of six days of work and one day of rest. It’s not a checklist, but a pattern that gives shape and meaning to time.

When we lean into rhythms instead of routines, we honor the truth that life and art are not mechanical, but alive.

Practical Rhythms for Teachers and Musicians

So how do we apply this idea in daily life and teaching?

1. Teaching Rhythms

   •   Instead of rigid “30-minute practice every day,” encourage students to find times when they feel most alert or joyful.

   •   Suggest attaching practice to existing daily rhythms: “Play your scales after brushing your teeth,” or “Run through your favorite piece while dinner is in the oven.”

2. Personal Practice Rhythms

   •   Create a rhythm across your week rather than forcing a set daily checklist.

   •   For example: Mondays for technique, Tuesdays for repertoire, Wednesdays for sight-reading. This weekly rhythm keeps progress moving without pressure to look identical each day.

3. Life Rhythms

   •   Honor seasonal shifts. Summer teaching might look different than fall. Your creative energy may be higher at the start of a semester and lower in December. That’s okay—rhythms flex with the season.

Reflection: Grace in the Rhythms

Here’s the truth: routines can help us start, but rhythms sustain us.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for not sticking to a routine, maybe it wasn’t failure—it was simply that life was calling you to shift the rhythm.

Take a moment to reflect:

   •   What are the rhythms that carry me?

   •   Which routines feel more like chains than supports?

   •   How can I model healthy rhythms for my students?

Music isn’t about rigidity. Music is rhythm, flow, and breath, and our lives can be, too.

Final Thought: Let rhythms, not routines, shape your days. You’ll discover more grace, more freedom, and perhaps more joy in both your music and your teaching.