Perseverance and Determination
Perseverance
1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Synonyms
1. doggedness, steadfastness. Perseverance, persistence, tenacity, pertinacity imply resolute and unyielding holding on in following a course of action.
Determination
6. the quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose.
When taking on the challenge of learning an instrument and/or music, there are no other words or actions that can have more of a positive and lasting impact than perseverance and determination.
Yes, practice is important and key to learning your instrument, as has been mentioned in numerous Right Notes Music blog pieces, but to get the most out of your practice in order to conquer difficulties, a healthy dose of perseverance and of determination is necessary for success.
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On a daily basis I remind my students of the importance of perseverance and determination, especially when they are confronted with a roadblock in their learning process. Until they actually experience the satisfaction of success, what I am saying may seem impossible at the time. How can this most difficult, impossible, thing be achievable? It’s too hard! Oh, how many times have I heard that?
I often think of the mountain goat that will scale a seemingly impossible precipice, overcoming vertical challenges no sane human would ever consider. There is a reason the mountain goat is synonymous with perseverance and determination — it is the only way they achieve the incredible and impossible (and crazy) heights to which they climb. Their tenacity should be inspirational to us all.
Recently, I received a note from a gentleman who had taken one lesson with me for the sole purpose of achieving the F chord on his chord, which had heretofore eluded him. He was so frustrated, he was ready to quit playing, even though he loves playing the guitar. We met for thirty minutes, during which time I showed him how to approach the F chord in a different way, and perhaps even, put lighter gauge strings on his guitar.
He remained skeptical that he could ever do it. I told him the story of my frustration after many, many years of avoiding them, trying to learn barre chords, I had finally resolved to get over myself (I can’t!) and learn them. For too long, I had deprived myself the opportunity to play certain songs in certain keys because barre chords were too hard. I let myself convince myself I was incapable of doing what other guitar players were able to do. Shame on me!
The Am, E and Em shape were fairly easy to master, but the A shape seemed impossible. No matter how hard I tried, I could not make that shape. But having discovered the freedom and versatility the other shapes gave me, I was determined. I didn’t give up. I persevered. Day after day, I tried to make the A shape, but to no avail. I kept at it, but no matter how hard I tried, I could not make a clean chord. Frustration overwhelmed me, but still, I kept at it with dogged determination.
One day, when I least expected it, I sat down to try the stubborn A shape and, Voila! there it was! I couldn’t believe it! After months and months of battling with it, suddenly it was as if I had always known how to play the A shape. I was ecstatic! Since that day, I’ve never had a problem with barre chords.
Well, I sent my student off with some advice on how to approach the F chord, and my story. About two weeks later, I received this email from him:
“Hi Jules:
Ever since our lesson I have each day devoted at least 10 minutes to the F chord with frustration aplenty; the young *me* would have thrown his guitar across the room a long time ago.
One thing that inspired me from our lesson was your story about fighting with a barre chord until one day it came to you, like a miracle. I never expected that would happen for me, but the F chord suddenly came this last Sunday and I was absolutely stunned so I know how you felt. I strummed and strummed that clean chord, near tears in my eyes, and then on Monday I was afraid to pick up the guitar lest my miracle was gone. But it was there, is still there today, and I am tentatively claiming victory. “Nice psych job, doc!”
I can strum it and am now trying to work it into progressions, which I can see is going to take a while.
Thanks for your help and for your invaluable inspiration.
Regards, B”
This student has gained so much from learning to play one chord. Some may say, well, it’s only an F chord. Big deal. But it’s more than that, and it is a big deal. He has learned that sometimes I actually do know what I’m talking about. Ha! All kidding aside, he has learned that perseverance and determination really do pay off. And yes, learning the F chord will open up songs in the key of C that he was not able to play before without incorrectly modifying the F chord into a F maj 7 chord, which of course doesn’t sound right.
Also, he’s right about the “psych job.” I always say, if you say you can’t, you’re right. If you say you can, you’re also right. If you don’t approach a challenge with a can do, winning, attitude, you will most likely fail. The more you convince yourself you can do something, the more likely perseverance and determination will kick in and you will overcome whatever you set out to do.