Practicing Music

By Ernie Mansfield

By the time we're adults, many of us have formed the concept that it takes natural, raw talent to become a musician. True, a certain amount of talent is needed. But what is really needed is practice. You need to spend time practicing a musical instrument to gain mastery of it.

There is a story about Frank Sinatra. Frank grew up in the big-band era, when a singer was expected to project his voice over an entire 16-piece band. Singers were a dime a dozen in those days, and Frank was really nothing special. So, Frank decided to swim laps, underwater, every day, holding his breath as long as he could. In doing so, he increased his lung capacity so that he could sing very long phrases, without taking a breath. This made him stand out among other singers, and gave him the edge he needed in his rise to success.

So, the next time you hear someone say, "I can't sing, I'm no Frank Sinatra," remember that even Frank Sinatra was not always a great singer. He had to practice!

What is practice? Well, first let's talk about what practice is not. Practice is definitely not a thing that one should feel guilty about if they don't do - or don't do enough, or don't do well. It should not be a word used as an excuse to guilt-trip yourself, spouse, or child into stopping lessons. As in, "You're not practicing, so why bother taking lessons?"

Should a student quit taking lessons if they aren't practicing? Of course not! I do not get on any student's case if they haven't practiced. "At least you haven't formed any bad habits," I will say. I encourage them to practice - and I try to inspire them to practice. But even if they don't, when they come to the lesson, I am going to work with them, and they are going to learn something. It is far, far better to learn for one hour at a music lesson than to stop lessons and learn nothing.

How do I know this is true? I got it from my own life experience. I have been passionate about music since I was a child, and I spent a great many hours practicing every day. But when I first got started, there were weeks where I did not practice at all. What if my parents had - as a result - stopped my music lessons? Well, since my entire career has been in music, this surely would have altered my life in a drastic way!

So again, what is practice? Perhaps the French word for it describes it best: "répétition." Repeating your music lesson over and over, until you get it right. That is only a beginning definition; but it is on the right track. It is only through doing something again and again that one learns a skill.

Why do something over and over? Because you enjoy it. Music is a great source of joy to many people. And, although the initial discipline required for practice may be painful, the ultimate result is joy, pleasure, satisfaction, and beauty.

©2006 Ernie Mansfield