Having taught hundreds of students over the years, patterns emerge in student progressions. Learning the basics of an instrument are easy, fun, and exciting. Moving to higher levels, on the other hand, takes work...and can be frustrating at times. These new skill hurdles are the downfall of many aspiring musicians. Some quit, some stay at the same level for as long as they play the instrument, and some stick with it as they work towards new heights. The bad news is that these skill plateaus will always be present for the studious musician; there will always be more to learn. The great news is that they are opportunities for small victories. Reaching that new level is very rewarding. It opens up the doors for new techniques and playing abilities. This in turn stokes the fire to reach for even higher skill levels. It is a snowball effect.
SO STICK WITH IT!
I tell this to my students, and ask them at the beginning to give it three months as a trial to see if there is enough interest to keep going. The next milestone is one year, then three years, then five, then ten and up. At each milestone it is necessary to reassess interest levels, and to look back in order to see if goals have been reached.
Honesty and determination can be opposing forces, but they are required in order to make the correct decision whether to continue on the musical journey, or not. Using the milestone approach is helpful because it breaks the journey into tangible, reachable targets. It gives the student focus to achieve certain goals within the time frame.
SO STICK WITH IT TO THAT NEXT MILESTONE!!
My biggest plea for students is to put in the time to become proficient enough to play with other musicians. This way they will always have music in their life to some degree. The money and time spent on lessons and practicing will not have gone for nothing. Not everybody will stick it out, and put in the time to become professional musicians. But that is OK. Having an instrument to play for therapy and for periodic social interaction are the two most important reasons to learn an instrument in the first place....well, other then to meet chicks and dudes. Don't give up when you're facing that hurdle. No regrets...
SO STICK WITH IT, AND GET INTO THAT AWESOME BAND!!!
SO STICK WITH IT!
I tell this to my students, and ask them at the beginning to give it three months as a trial to see if there is enough interest to keep going. The next milestone is one year, then three years, then five, then ten and up. At each milestone it is necessary to reassess interest levels, and to look back in order to see if goals have been reached.
Honesty and determination can be opposing forces, but they are required in order to make the correct decision whether to continue on the musical journey, or not. Using the milestone approach is helpful because it breaks the journey into tangible, reachable targets. It gives the student focus to achieve certain goals within the time frame.
SO STICK WITH IT TO THAT NEXT MILESTONE!!
My biggest plea for students is to put in the time to become proficient enough to play with other musicians. This way they will always have music in their life to some degree. The money and time spent on lessons and practicing will not have gone for nothing. Not everybody will stick it out, and put in the time to become professional musicians. But that is OK. Having an instrument to play for therapy and for periodic social interaction are the two most important reasons to learn an instrument in the first place....well, other then to meet chicks and dudes. Don't give up when you're facing that hurdle. No regrets...
SO STICK WITH IT, AND GET INTO THAT AWESOME BAND!!!