Overcoming Musical Plateaus

By Dawson Ouellette

Every musician hits a wall at some point—a frustrating point where the progress slows to a crawl or stops altogether. You’re practicing, showing up consistently, maybe even working harder than ever… and yet, things feel stuck.

These moments are known as musical plateaus, and while they can be discouraging, they’re also opportunities for recalibration and growth. Here are three proven strategies I use to break through them:

1. Creative Restriction: Limiting to Expand

Sometimes, creativity needs boundaries. Creative restriction works by deliberately setting limitations on what you can do—forcing you to find new solutions, phrases, and approaches within that smaller box.

For example, in my drumming practice, I’ll limit myself to just the hi-hat, snare, and bass drum. On piano, I might only play within a single octave, or challenge myself to only play one note at a time. These restrictions don’t hinder creativity—they ignite it.

When you feel stuck in your improvisation or vocabulary, this technique can shake you out of repetitive habits and prompt you to discover something new.

And your favorite players are doing it too:

• Nate Smith is often seen crafting grooves with just a hi-hat, snare, and kick.

• Chick Corea would intentionally leave space between phrases, letting silence shape his solos.

• Dave Weckl has entire sections where he commits to a “sextuplet-only” flow, turning a rhythmic limitation into a powerhouse of expression.

Find a few examples from artists you like and try out their restrictions. You may be surprised by what you come up with.

2. Learn the Right Mechanics

Sometimes the plateau isn’t creative—it’s physical.

If you’re struggling to play something, or you notice tension building in your body during a passage, it could be a sign that your current technique isn’t serving the ideas you want to express.

I’ve run into this myself—take the sextuplet shuffle, for example. To play it cleanly and efficiently, it demands proper push-pull technique. Try to force it without that, and you’ll work ten times harder for half the result.

Technique isn’t just about speed or flash—it’s about freedom. Developing the right mechanics gives your ideas a physical path to come through clearly.

3. Rethink Your Challenge Level

Sometimes we hit a plateau not because of what we’re doing, but how hard (or easy) it is.

If what you’re practicing is too simple, you’ll get bored. If it’s too difficult, you’ll get discouraged. The key is to find the "sweet spot"—a level of challenge that stretches you without overwhelming you.

This is where honest self-assessment is crucial. Ask yourself:

• Am I zoning out during practice? (Too easy)

• Am I constantly frustrated or physically tense? (Too hard)

Adjust accordingly. You’ll know you’ve found the right balance when you feel engaged, challenged, and excited to return to the instrument.

Final Thoughts

Creative plateaus aren’t signs of failure. They’re checkpoints. They’re the body and mind’s way of saying, “Something needs to shift.”

By embracing creative restrictions, refining your mechanics, and reassessing the level of your material, you’ll not only get unstuck—you’ll come back stronger, more inventive, and more connected to your craft.

Stay curious. Stay patient. The breakthrough is on the other side of the plateau.