Music & Self-Discipline

There's an old saying: "it takes 10,000hrs of practice to become an expert in something." It doesn't matter if it's plumbing, surgery, teaching or playing a musical instrument.If you do the math using 5 days a week and 4 hrs of practice you're an expert in 10yrs. Reduce your practice to 2 hrs you're at 20 yrs, 1hr you're at 40yrs etc.

We all know this idea of expertise in 10,000hrs is a myth. However, the reality is that it does take time, devotion and energy to be GOOD at something.In today's world where everything runs on internet time and everyone wants self gratification immediately, I fear as an instructor, our students are losing the art of self-discipline.

We see this lack of self-discipline in society:

1. Health memberships that never get used
2. Obesity
3. Employees not showing up for work
4. Blaming others for problems
5. Not keeping personal commitments
6. Whatever?

Learning to play a musical instrument takes time, dedication and self-discipline. It's a slow, demanding arduous process full of challenges and gratification. It's a mental as well as physical process. A student of music understands and works through these personal challenges over time and understands what it takes intrinsically to develop his/her talent. There is no shortcut to learning an instrument.

There's a commercial playing during the Olympics where the athletes say, "I haven't ordered a dessert in over 2 years", "I haven't read the latest best selling novel", "I haven't seen the latest movie", because they've been working on their talent. They have self-discipline and understand the personal costs and gratification of their efforts.

Employers look for employees who,"work without supervision", "are self-motivated", "a self-starter". In the workforce self-discipline is a highly sought skill. Recognition and success often come to those individuals who exercise self-discipline well.

Developing self-discipline through the study of music can be started at anytime. Children and adults both benefit from the challenges music study presents. Studying music works the entire brain and has many benefits. It's better than puzzles, reading or sudoku. One study shows it helps dementia patients keep their memory longer.

Today's music curriculum's are fun and move the student along quickly. They are not the old school methods of scales and flash cards many of us remember. A beginner can get started with 15-20mins of practice per day. BUT to my dismay I'm told often, "I didn't have time to practice this week".  

Woodland Creek Music is in the business of building self-discipline. Just do it!