6 Tips for Musicians
The latest topic in school has been about how much positive practice we need to make happen a day or a week for our musicianship/performance skills to improve. Practice does make better but is that all we need as musicians?
I find this article to emphasize practice as much as any professor would but it also touches other things we may not speak of very often. I personally can't remember the last time someone said that you must enjoy what you do. Once you make music your career everyone makes it seem like much of an obligation and this begins gets engraved in our heads. What about being innovative? Does this mean that you HAVE to come up with the next new kind of performance or the best way to ask for money? What about collaboration? What are some things you think this article missed on that you may or may not have done before?
http://blog.sonicbids.com/6-qualities-all-successful-musicians-have
I enjoy how the article goes through and sets you up for what is to come in the music world. It portrays it as an obstacle course, but it doesn't make it seem becoming a professional musician makes you completely helpless.
ReplyDeleteI think practicing is extremely important and should be encouraged. I think the article left out one crucial step to practicing: teaching someone to practice productively. Someone can sit in a practice room for 6 hours in a day and constantly run through their solo literature, but is this really helping them learn? While watching the United States Army Field Bands video, "The Saxophone Standard" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE8c_Z4g0-s), a section came up on practice routines and tips. One thing that they stressed is to keep each and every practice session fresh in order to keep you engaged. I found this video to be extremely helpful, and I use it as an outline for my daily practice routine.
I like this articles perspective on practicing. I never thought about trying to keep the practice session feeling "fresh", so I actually don't like practicing much at all. It feels like a chore every time I get myself to do it. This article is some what of an eye opener on how to make practicing a little better for myself.
ReplyDeleteI actually didn't like this article's perspective on practicing. While it is certainly true that we should practice often and well, the "all the time" way of thinking about practicing causes people to burn out and takes away the ultimate reason that we should be practicing: we love it. I also didn't like the very first point. I thought that it almost seemed to imply that the only people who make it are those without backup plans. Maybe that is true. But what happens to the musicians who don't make it who don't have backup plans? I don't think that kind of thinking should necessarily be promoted. However, I did really like the second point. I think the most overlooked aspect of music is how very difficult it is. Not how difficult it is to "make it" but how difficult it is to do at all. Many music school students come in expecting to practice, but not expecting to have to work hard in other areas, and I think that is a major reason for music majors struggling, especially early on.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the statement that musicians who don't have backup plans are the most successful. I agree with Abigail that we shouldn't be promoting not having a backup plan. Being a professional musician is something that so few people in the world get to do full time and there are so many people who want these positions. I can relate to the article that music is a very difficult field to be in, I came into music school thinking that I would be practicing 3+ hours a day not even realizing that I had so many other areas that would need to be developed as well.
ReplyDeleteTyler made a great point in saying that we should be teaching students how to practice productively. Spending 6+ hours in a practice room is perhaps not the best idea if you are not fully engaged those entire 6 hours. Productive and efficient practice is the best route to success.
I agree with what everyone has said about practicing - it has to be effective practice, not excessive practice. I like that the author says, "And in order to make the most out of it, you have learn to really enjoy the process of improving and practicing as well." In order to be a good musician you do have to practice a lot - but not literally all of your free time. It should be just the right amount of time that you are productive and successful in your practice, but you're also still having fun. I think the point the author makes about being patient goes along with this - not every practice session is as great as the other ones. You just have to be patient on those days and know that you're getting better, even if its more slowly than you'd like.
ReplyDeleteThis really is an eye opener for me as well. I have been learning how to practice effectively and not just locking myself in a practice room for x hours and being done. It's a big fear of mine to burn out so I'm particularly being careful with what and how I practice. I agree with Meagan- there definitely is a happy medium that needs to be found. As a percussionist, it is much easier to change things up during my practice sessions since I can literally go to another instrument.
ReplyDeleteThis really is an eye opener for me as well. I have been learning how to practice effectively and not just locking myself in a practice room for x hours and being done. It's a big fear of mine to burn out so I'm particularly being careful with what and how I practice. I agree with Meagan- there definitely is a happy medium that needs to be found. As a percussionist, it is much easier to change things up during my practice sessions since I can literally go to another instrument.
ReplyDeleteThis was really shocking because I have been developing to be an effective practicer. I dont just want to burn out. I completely agree with sal and being careful with how I practice. You have to find the way that works right for you and not lock yourself up forever
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