Work Ethic In Practice

Like a broken record repeating the same phrase over and over again, when given the opportunity, I will continue to emphasize the importance of practice… practice… practice… practice, because it’s imperative for improvement and mastery of one’s instrument(s). There’s no substitute if you want to give a great performance. That’s especially true when performing with others. There’s a work ethic in practice. Yes, of course, practice is hard work. It’s mostly work. Not always fun. Not “play.” Work. Perhaps most important in teaching music, and when you’re drilling the concept of practice into a young student, you’re giving them what will be the foundation for a strong work ethic. An ingrained and strong work ethic almost always guarantees success — in anything.

As a private music teacher who also performs, either as a solo artist or in a group, I often encounter one particular annoying issue with too many students, as well as with some of my fellow musicians; and that is, the obvious lack of a meaningful work ethic in practice, or otherwise. Continue reading →