Staying Motivated During Guitar Practice | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At home during guitar practice, two adults discuss rhythm exercises, patience, recording progress, and keeping motivation steady..

EN → JA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Staying Motivated During Guitar Practice to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

ギターを習うのは楽しいですが、リズム練習ではいらいらしてしまいます。

gee-TAH o na-RAU no wa ta-no-SHEE dess ga, ree-ZOO-moo ren-SHOO de wa ee-RAH-ee-rah shee-TEH shee-MAH-ee-mass. I enjoy learning guitar, but I get frustrated with rhythm practice.
B

それは普通です。最初はリズム感がゆっくり上達することがよくあります。

so-REH wa foo-TSOO dess. sai-SHO wa ree-ZOO-moo-kahn ga YOO-koo-ree joh-TAHT-soo-roo ko-to ga yo-KOO ah-ree-MASS. That is normal. Your sense of rhythm often improves slowly at first.
A

曲は練習しますが、つまらなく感じるので練習課題は飛ばしてしまいます。

kyoh-koo wa ren-SHOO shee-MASS ga, tsoo-mah-RAH-nah-koo KAHN-jee-roo no deh ren-SHOO kah-DAI wa toh-BAH-sheh shee-MAH-ee-mass. I practice songs, but I skip exercises because they feel boring.
B

短い練習メニューなら、楽しさと上達のバランスを取れます。

mee-JY ren-SHOO meh-NYOO nah-rah, tah-no-SHEE-sah toh joh-TAHT-soo no bah-RAN-soo oh toh-REH-mass. A short practice routine can balance fun and progress.
A

曲を弾く前に短いリズム練習をすると、役に立つかもしれません。

kyoh-koo oh HEE-koo mae nee mee-JY ree-ZOO-moo ren-SHOO oh soo-ROO-toh, yah-koo nee tah-TSOO kah-moh shee-reh-MEN. Maybe a short rhythm exercise before playing songs would help.
B

自分の演奏を録音することも、上達に気づくのに役立ちます。

jee-BUN no en-SOH oh roh-koo-ON soo-ROO ko-toh moh, joh-TAHT-soo nee kee-ZOO-koo no nee yah-koo-dah-TSOO mahss. Recording yourself can also help you notice improvement.
A

すぐに結果を求めるのではなく、もっと辛抱強くなる必要があります。

soo-GOO nee reh-KOO-tah oh moh-toh-MEH-roo no deh wa nah-koo, MOHT-toh sheem-BOH-zoo-YOH-koo nah-roo nee HEE-tsu-yoh ga ah-ree-MASS. I need to be more patient instead of expecting quick results.
B

定期的に小さな進歩を確認することが、やる気を安定させます。

teh-ee-kee-teh-kee nee chee-sah-nah sheen-POH oh kah-KOO-nin soo-ROO ko-toh ga, yah-roo-kee oh ahn-TAY sah-seh-MASS. Seeing small progress regularly is what keeps motivation steady.
A

簡単な曲を一つ選んで、タイミングに集中するほうが取り組みやすそうです。

KAHN-tahn nah kyoh-koo oh HEE-toh-tsu eh-RAHN-deh, TAI-ming-goo nee SHOO-choo soo-ROO hoh ga toh-ree-KOO-mee yah-soo-soh dess. Choosing one simple song and focusing on timing sounds more manageable.
B

明確な目標があると、練習が行き当たりばったりに感じにくくなります。

may-KAH-koo nah moh-koo-HYOH ga ah-ROO-toh, ren-SHOO ga ee-kee-ah-tah-ree baht-TAH-ree nee KAHN-jee nee-KOO-koo nah-ree-MASS. Clear goals make practice feel less random.

Word by Word

ギター 「ギター」 means guitar in this dialogue, the instrument being learned. It commonly appears with を, as in 「ギターを習う」. A learner can use it when talking about playing, learning, or practicing guitar.
を 「を」 marks 「ギター」 as the object of 「習う」, so the sentence is about learning guitar. It commonly follows the thing that someone learns, plays, or practices. A learner uses it when identifying the direct object of an action.
習う 「習う」 means learn or take lessons in this dialogue, as in 「ギターを習う」. Its exact form is used for the action of learning an instrument. It can be reused with another subject of study as a new example: 新しい例：料理を習う。
の In 「ギターを習うのは楽しい」, 「の」 turns the action of learning guitar into the topic being described. It lets an action be followed by an evaluation such as 「楽しい」. A learner can use the pattern 「Vのは＋評価」 to comment on an activity.
は In 「習うのは楽しい」, 「は」 marks the activity of learning guitar as the topic. It sets that activity up for the comment 「楽しい」. The same pattern can present another activity as a topic for evaluation.
楽しい 「楽しい」 means enjoyable or fun here, describing learning guitar. It is the positive evaluation in 「ギターを習うのは楽しい」. A learner can use it to describe an activity, event, or experience that is enjoyable.
です 「です」 gives the statement 「楽しいです」 a polite tone. In this dialogue it politely presents the evaluation that learning guitar is enjoyable. It is commonly used after a polite description or evaluation.
が In 「楽しいですが」, 「が」 connects the positive statement with the contrasting problem that follows, meaning but. Here it does not mark a subject. A learner can use it to acknowledge one point before adding a contrasting point.
リズム 「リズム」 means rhythm in 「リズム練習」. It identifies the musical timing being practiced. It can be combined with a relevant activity or noun when discussing rhythm.
練習 「練習」 means practice in this dialogue, including rhythm practice and practice tasks. In 「リズム練習」 it specifies practice focused on rhythm. It can be used with a skill, activity, or instrument as the thing being practiced.
で In 「リズム練習では」, 「で」 places the frustration in the context of rhythm practice, with 「は」 adding topic contrast. It answers where or during what activity the feeling occurs. A learner can use this marker to describe the setting or activity in which something happens.
いらいら 「いらいら」 expresses irritation or frustration in 「いらいらしてしまいます」. It describes the speaker’s emotional reaction during rhythm practice. It is commonly used with する to describe becoming or feeling irritated.
して In 「いらいらしてしまいます」, 「して」 is the connected form that links the state 「いらいら」 to 「しまいます」. Together, the expression says that the speaker ends up feeling frustrated. This connected form is useful when one action or state leads into another expression.
しまいます In 「いらいらしてしまいます」, 「しまいます」 shows that the speaker ends up becoming frustrated, with an unwanted or regrettable feeling. It follows the connected form 「して」 here. A learner can use 「Vてしまいます」 when an action happens completely or contrary to intention.
それ 「それ」 means that and refers to the frustration described in the previous line. In 「それは普通です」, it makes that situation the topic of the reassurance. It can refer to something already mentioned in the conversation.
普通 「普通」 means normal in 「それは普通です」. B uses it to reassure A that this experience is not unusual. A learner can use it to describe a situation or reaction as ordinary.
最初 「最初」 means the beginning or at first in 「最初は」. It limits the comment about rhythm improvement to the early stage of learning. It is commonly used with は when contrasting an initial stage with a later one.
リズム感 「リズム感」 means a sense of rhythm in this dialogue. It refers to the learner’s ability to perceive and maintain musical rhythm. It can be used when discussing someone’s strength or improvement in rhythm.
ゆっくり 「ゆっくり」 means slowly here, describing how rhythm ability improves at first. It modifies 「上達する」 and indicates a gradual pace. A learner can use it when describing progress or movement that happens slowly.
上達 「上達」 means improvement or progress in a skill, as in 「上達する」. Here it refers specifically to improving one’s sense of rhythm. It commonly combines with する to describe a skill getting better.
する In 「上達する」, 「する」 combines with 「上達」 to form the verb meaning improve or make progress. The exact form 「する」 is followed by 「こと」 in this dialogue. This pattern is useful for turning a noun such as 上達 into an action.
こと In 「上達することがよくあります」, 「こと」 turns the event of improving into something that can be described as occurring often. It makes the preceding action function as a noun-like topic. A learner can use 「Vことがある」 or related patterns to talk about an action or event.
よく 「よく」 means often in 「上達することがよくあります」. It says that gradual improvement happens frequently, not just once. It commonly appears before the verb or expression describing the repeated event.
あります In 「上達することがよくあります」, 「あります」 means that such an event occurs or is the case. It is the polite form used to state that gradual improvement often happens. It can be reused in patterns describing experiences or events that occur.
曲 「曲」 means a song or musical piece in 「曲は練習します」. It is the music that A practices, contrasted with the exercises that are skipped. A learner can use it when referring to a specific piece of music.
します In 「曲は練習します」, 「します」 means do or practice and politely completes the practice action. The object of the practice is 「曲」 in this line. It can be used after an activity noun to describe doing that activity politely.
つまらなく 「つまらなく」 means in a boring or uninteresting way in 「つまらなく感じる」. It describes how A experiences the exercises. It is used before 「感じる」 to express that something feels boring.
感じる 「感じる」 means feel or experience here, as in 「つまらなく感じる」. The speaker feels that the exercises are boring. It can be used with an adjective-like description to explain how something seems to the speaker.
ので 「ので」 means because in 「つまらなく感じるので」. It gives the reason why A skips the exercises. A learner can use it after a reason before explaining the resulting action or situation.
課題 「課題」 means an exercise or assigned task in 「練習課題」. Here it refers to the practice exercises that A leaves out. It can be used for a task that someone needs to complete or work on.
飛ばして In 「課題は飛ばしてしまいます」, 「飛ばして」 means skip or leave out and connects to 「しまいます」. It describes omitting the exercises because they feel boring. A learner can use this connected form when listing skipping as part of a larger action or result.
短い 「短い」 means short in 「短い練習メニュー」. It describes a practice routine that does not take much time. It can be placed before a noun to describe its length.
メニュー 「メニュー」 means a menu or, in this dialogue, a planned practice routine. 「短い練習メニュー」 refers to the set of activities chosen for practice. It can be used for an ordered selection of activities, not only for food.
なら In 「短い練習メニューなら」, 「なら」 means if it is or when considering a short practice routine. It introduces the condition under which the following benefit applies. A learner can use it after a noun when discussing what would happen with that option.
楽しさ 「楽しさ」 means fun or enjoyment in 「楽しさと進歩」. It presents enjoyment as one of the two things that the routine can balance. It can be used when discussing the degree or quality of how enjoyable something is.
と In 「楽しさと進歩」, 「と」 connects the two nouns and means and. It shows that both enjoyment and progress are being considered together. A learner can use it to join nouns in a list or comparison.
バランス 「バランス」 means balance in 「楽しさと進歩のバランス」. It refers to keeping enjoyment and progress in a suitable relationship. It can be used when discussing how two factors are kept in balance.
取れます In 「バランスを取れます」, 「取れます」 means can achieve or maintain here, referring to achieving a balance. It is the polite form used for the possible result of the short routine. A learner can use it when saying that a suitable balance can be achieved.
弾く 「弾く」 means play an instrument in 「曲を弾く前に」. Here it refers to playing a song on the guitar. It can be used with an instrument or musical piece as the object of playing.
前 「前」 means before in 「曲を弾く前に」. It places the rhythm exercise earlier than playing the songs. The pattern 「V前に」 is commonly used for an action that happens before another action.
に In 「曲を弾く前に」, 「に」 marks the time before which the short exercise takes place. It completes the time expression 「前に」. A learner can use it after a time expression to indicate when an action occurs.
役に立つ 「役に立つ」 as a whole means be useful in 「役に立つかもしれません」. Within this expression, 「役」 refers to a useful role, 「に」 links something to that role, and 「立つ」 completes the expression with the sense of serving a useful purpose. A new example is: この練習は役に立つ。
かもしれません 「かもしれません」 as a whole expresses polite possibility in 「役に立つかもしれません」, meaning may or might be useful. 「かも」 signals possibility, while 「しれません」 completes the polite expression of uncertainty. A new example is: 明日は雨かもしれません。
自分 「自分」 means oneself in 「自分の演奏」. It refers back to the person who is recording, so the recording is of that person’s own playing. It can be used before の to identify something belonging to oneself.
演奏 「演奏」 means a musical performance or playing in 「自分の演奏」. Here it refers to A’s own guitar playing that can be recorded. It is useful when discussing the act or result of performing music.
録音 「録音」 means recording or making an audio recording in 「演奏を録音する」. Here it is the action of recording one’s own performance in order to notice improvement. It can be used with an audio source as the object of recording.
も In 「録音することも」, 「も」 means also and adds recording to the other helpful practice ideas. It shows that this suggestion is another useful possibility. A learner can use it to add an item to something already mentioned.
気づく 「気づく」 means notice or realize in 「上達に気づく」. Here it refers to recognizing one’s own improvement through recording. It commonly appears with に when identifying what someone notices.
役に立ちます 「役に立ちます」 as a whole means is useful in 「上達に気づくのに役に立ちます」, with polite ending 「ます」. In the expression, 「役」 is a useful role, 「に」 links to that role, and 「立ちます」 completes the polite form of being useful. A new example is: この記録は復習に役に立ちます。
すぐ 「すぐ」 means quickly or soon in 「すぐに結果」. It describes the results A expects to appear without much waiting. It commonly appears with に before an action or time expression.
結果 「結果」 means result in 「すぐに結果を求める」. It refers to the outcome A wants to see quickly from practice. It commonly appears with を when someone seeks or expects an outcome.
求める 「求める」 means seek or expect in 「結果を求める」. Here it describes looking for quick results from practice. It can be used with a desired result or answer as the object.
ではなく 「ではなく」 as a whole means rather than or instead of in 「結果を求めるのではなく」. Here 「で」 participates in the negative linking expression, 「は」 adds contrast, and 「なく」 connects the rejected option to the preferred one. A learner can reuse the pattern 「AではなくB」 to contrast two choices.
もっと 「もっと」 means more in 「もっと辛抱強く」. It shows that A wants to increase the amount of patience. It can be placed before an adjective or adverb to request or describe a greater degree.
辛抱強く 「辛抱強く」 means patiently or with patience in 「もっと辛抱強くなる」. It describes the quality A needs to develop instead of expecting quick results. It can modify an action or appear before なる when describing becoming more patient.
なる 「なる」 means become in 「辛抱強くなる」. It describes changing into a more patient state. It commonly follows an adjective-like form when expressing a change of condition.
必要 「必要」 means necessary or needed in 「辛抱強くなる必要があります」. It states that becoming more patient is something A needs to do. A learner can use the pattern 「V必要があります」 to say that an action is necessary.
定期的 「定期的」 means regular or periodic in 「定期的に」. It describes checking progress at regular intervals. With に, it commonly modifies an action that is done regularly.
小さな 「小さな」 means small in 「小さな進歩」. Here it describes modest improvements that can be noticed regularly. It is placed directly before a noun to describe its size or degree.
進歩 「進歩」 means progress in 「小さな進歩」. It refers to improvement in guitar practice, even when the change is modest. It can be used when discussing development toward a goal.
確認 「確認」 means checking or confirming in 「進歩を確認すること」. Here it means checking one’s progress regularly so that it can be noticed. It commonly appears with を before the thing being checked.
やる気 「やる気」 means motivation or willingness to do something in 「やる気を安定させます」. It refers to the desire to continue practicing. A learner can use it when discussing whether someone feels motivated to act.
安定 「安定」 means stability or steadiness in 「やる気を安定させます」. Here it describes keeping motivation from changing greatly. It can be used when discussing a state that remains steady.
させます In 「やる気を安定させます」, 「させます」 means make or keep something in a state, politely. It shows that regularly noticing progress keeps motivation steady. It can be used when someone causes another person or thing to enter or remain in a condition.
簡単 「簡単」 means simple or easy in 「簡単な曲」. It describes a song that is manageable for the learner to practice. Before a noun, it is followed by 「な」.
な In 「簡単な曲」, 「な」 links the noun-like description 「簡単」 to the noun 「曲」. It allows the phrase to mean a simple song. A learner can use the pattern 「な-adjective＋な＋noun」 to describe a noun.
一つ 「一つ」 means one in 「曲を一つ選んで」. It limits the choice to a single song. It can be used when counting one item or selecting one item from several.
選んで 「選んで」 means choose and in 「一つ選んで」. Its connected form links choosing one song with focusing on timing. A learner can use this form to connect two actions done in sequence.
タイミング 「タイミング」 means timing in 「タイミングに集中する」. Here it refers to focusing on when the notes or rhythm should be played. It can be used when discussing the right moment for an action.
集中 「集中」 means focus or concentration in 「タイミングに集中する」. It describes directing attention toward timing while practicing. It commonly appears with に to identify what someone focuses on.
ほうが 「ほうが」 as a whole presents one option as more suitable in 「集中するほうが取り組みやすそうです」. 「ほう」 refers to the option or way, and 「が」 marks that option as the one being evaluated. A learner can use 「AほうがB」 when saying that one way is easier, better, or more suitable.
取り組み In 「取り組みやすそうです」, 「取り組み」 means working on or tackling something. It is the form used before 「やすそう」 to describe the activity as manageable. A new example is: 新しい課題に取り組む。
やすそう 「やすそう」 means seems easy to do in 「取り組みやすそうです」. It indicates that focusing on timing appears manageable for the speaker. It commonly follows a verb stem to express that an action looks easy.
明確 「明確」 means clear or definite in 「明確な目標」. It describes goals whose direction is easy to understand. Before a noun, it is followed by 「な」.
目標 「目標」 means goal in 「明確な目標」. Here it refers to a clear target that gives practice direction. It can be used for something someone aims to achieve.
ある In 「明確な目標があると」, 「ある」 means exist or be present. It says that having a clear goal changes how practice feels. It is commonly used for the existence or possession of non-living things such as goals or plans.
行き当たりばったり 「行き当たりばったり」 as a whole means random or haphazard in 「練習が行き当たりばったり」. 「行き当たり」 suggests dealing with whatever one encounters, while 「ばったり」 adds an unplanned, hit-upon-it feeling. It is useful when describing actions without a clear plan.
感じにくく 「感じにくく」 means become difficult to feel in 「行き当たりばったりに感じにくくなります」. Here it says that practice is less likely to feel random when clear goals are present. The form connects to 「なります」 and can be reused in the pattern 「Vにくい」 for something that is hard to do.
なります In 「感じにくくなります」, 「なります」 means become and politely describes a change in how practice feels. Clear goals make the practice become less likely to feel random. It commonly follows an adjective-like form to express a change of state.

Grammar Points

〜てしまいます

いらいらしてしまいます。

ee-RAH-ee-rah shee-TEH shee-MAH-ee-mass

I end up getting frustrated.

〜てしまいます expresses an unwanted or regrettable result: “end up doing” or “unfortunately do.”

〜やすそうです

取り組みやすそうです。

toh-ree-KOO-mee yah-soo-soh dess

It seems easy to tackle.

〜やすそうです means something appears easy or manageable to do.

Japanese Vocabulary

いらいらしてしまいます phrase
ee-RAH-ee-rah shee-TEH shee-MAH-ee-mass to become frustrated
リズム感 noun
ree-ZOO-moo-kahn sense of rhythm
楽しい adj
ta-no-SHEE fun; enjoyable
曲 noun
kyoh-koo song; musical piece
最初 noun
sai-SHOH at first; the beginning
習う verb
na-RAU to learn; to take lessons
上達 noun
joh-TAHT-soo improvement; progress
飛ばしてしまいます phrase
toh-BAH-sheh-teh shee-MAH-ee-mass to skip
普通 adj
foo-TSOO normal; ordinary
練習 noun
ren-SHOO practice
練習メニュー noun
ren-SHOO meh-NYOO practice routine
練習課題 noun
ren-SHOO kah-DAI practice exercise; assignment

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to become frustrated

Show Answerいらいらしてしまいます

sense of rhythm

Show Answerリズム感

practice routine

Show Answer練習メニュー

to skip

Show Answer飛ばしてしまいます