My passion is to help others in the community, young, old, and everyone in between, find relevance and joy in learning, performing or listening to classical music.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Words of encouragement and a reality check for young musicians

© Gordan Jankulov - Fotolia.com
A few days ago I posted the following on my Facebook page.  It seems to have hit quite a chord so I thought I should share it here as well in hopes that it can reach more musicians of any age and at any stage.  Feel free to comment below if you have any words of encouragement yourself and please do pass the post along to anyone you think might benefit from hearing it!  

Dear music students -
A little reality check to hopefully encourage you.

I have been playing piano for over 30 years,
I have put in a gazillion hours of practicing,
I have performed a lot,
I think I'm pretty good at what I do,
and I've performed the piano part of Desenclos' "Prelude, Cadence & Finale" for saxophone and piano at least 8 times now.

YET...and here's the important part...

Today, as I was preparing for yet another rehearsal for yet another performance I still felt like I had to give myself a pep talk in order to face another practice session. I still have a LONG way to go to feel like I'm even close to doing it justice.

YET...and here's another really important part...

THAT'S OK!!!!

So next time you are kicking yourself because you haven't gotten your piece note-perfect, stop and remember you have a lifetime ahead of you to keep working on it. It's never over. Not even when the fat lady sings. 

Keep practicing, keep looking for what else you can do to improve, keep looking for the music behind the notes...and take pride in what you do!

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9 comments:

  1. EmmaDecember 3, 2013 at 5:40 AM

    It's so reassuring to remember that even the most experienced players still have times when they struggle and have to push themselves.

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    1. Erica Ann SipesDecember 3, 2013 at 5:26 PM

      Emma, I'm glad it's reassuring. Thanks for reading!

      Erica

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  2. MUSEJanuary 4, 2014 at 12:38 PM

    Like old man Dicterow said, "If you're not going to practice, then there's no need to play." There are musicians, however, who even if they practice quite a bit, can still not perform in public due to stage fright - Ivan Galamian was one such.

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    1. Erica Ann SipesJanuary 5, 2014 at 1:59 PM

      Violinhunter,
      I didn't realize that Galamian had such an issue with stage fright. I think it's pretty amazing how many musicians, seasoned performers included, struggle with it. I've gone through different stages and keep trying to learn from each time I'm at my most insecure. A never-ending process for some of us, I suppose, but it's well worth the effort if it means that we keep offering the gift of music both to ourselves and to others.

      Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment,
      Erica

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  3. Megan McElroyFebruary 10, 2014 at 3:56 AM

    I just have to say: it's hilarious that you mentioned the Desenclos piece. I only played it once and the next time someone asked me, I said NO. (And I don't say no to many things.)

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    1. Erica Ann SipesFebruary 10, 2014 at 7:41 AM

      Ah yes, Megan...the Desenclos. I think it scares many a pianist away forever. I just rehearsed it again last night and I can finally say that after many, many rehearsals and performances I am finally started to be able to play it and like it. But it has taken SO long!!!! Next time it comes your way and you're feeling adventurous, check it out. Or not. ;-)

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    2. Erica Ann SipesFebruary 10, 2014 at 7:42 AM

      Megan,
      I think I should also add here that I am terrible at saying "no" when it comes to music which is basically the only reason I keep playing it. Hopefully now that I can play it that might change. And hopefully one of these days I'll learn a lesson and start standing up for myself.

      Erica

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  4. PrincessDFebruary 12, 2014 at 6:53 PM

    As I read this, my heart is broken... my son has been a member of a national champion marching band but has decided that the joy is gone and he will not try out for his Senior year. We've asked his instructors to give him some sort of encouragement. Their responses were "we aren't that kind of band. " even the army builds you up after they tear you down...
    thanks for sharing.

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    1. Erica Ann SipesFebruary 12, 2014 at 7:56 PM

      PrincessD,
      And now my heart breaks to hear this! I am so sorry that for whatever reason your son has decided to pull out of the band. But if it's any encouragement to you I too took time off in high school from the piano. It was a move that shocked everyone around me but I felt that I needed to do it for myself. I didn't know what my identity was aside from piano and I didn't think the people around me did either. It took a few years for me to realize that I couldn't do without playing. I returned to playing and had a completely new fervor thanks to that break. That's not to say that'll happen with your son but my hope is that he will eventually remember the joy he once had.

      All the best to you as you adjust to whatever decision he ultimately makes.

      -Erica

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