Finding Joy in Practice

Two truisms in a musicians life.

1. To be a musician is to be practicing
2. If practice is not fun, you will not continue very long.

Let's look at this further. 

To be a musician, amateur or professional, is to be devoted to practicing over the life-time of music making. We live to practice. For amateurs practice must be fun, for professionals too, keeping it pleasurable helps us maintain intensity and focus over the duration of our careers. 

How to make it fun?

1. Align your goals and desires with the time and resources you have available. Spend some time contemplating this step. It is very important. 
2. Develop patience and serenity in the face of our mortality. (No kidding) Musical development is a journey not a destination. 

Robert Snyder made, “A Day in the Life of Pablo Casals.” He asked Pablo Casals age 80+ and the world’s foremost cellist of his age, why he continues to practice four and five hours a day. Casals answered: “Because I think I am making progress.”

Reading some books on practicing is a great help, I own at least a dozen books. I recommend you start collecting today. 

Best regards, 

David