July 2022 Guitar Newsletter: Life Skills Practiced through Learning an Instrument and Some Wisdom from Quincy Jones
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When I was a teenager my guitar teacher once told me that learning how to play the guitar is very similar to being in a marriage. It is a relationship that will have its different seasons. As an adult, I can testify to this. The bond we have to our instrument or music itself won’t always be in the honeymoon phase. Perhaps it is completely mandatory to have strife and eventually grow, forgive and move forward, instead of viewing turbulences as a sign to quit. With a positive mindset there are many good things in store once we get over the hurdles, and it is a life skill to be able to work through problems instead of giving up. In this month’s newsletter, I would like to encourage all students to stick with it when things feel hard, and I would like to share some thoughts Quincy Jones has on this topic.
A healthy mindset along with developing good problem solving skills is critical in order to overcome the inevitable obstacles that will arise while navigating one’s place in the musical universe. At first a student might not have much desire to learn an instrument because the hard work it requires is no fun at all. However, given the time and opportunity, a real interest and love develops through the process of practicing and immersing oneself in music. In the big picture, growing as a musician can simply fall into the category of self-improvement.
The legendary Quincy Jones elaborates on this very topic in his most recent book called 12 Notes On Life And Creativity. Needless to say, his tremendous creative output as a musician, bandleader, composer, producer, film scorer and author are evidence of how he successfully overcame the odds and developed solid work habits leading to an enormous creative output. Keep in mind that Quincy’s early childhood took place in a rough neighborhood in Chicago with little hope of a good future. Sadly, in addition to his bleak environment, he was a child of a very mentally ill mother. He explains, “As I’ve learned throughout my lifetime, personal growth is just a journey from mind pollution to mind solution. In other words, you have to sift through the dirt of whatever situation it is that you find yourself in, so that your future isn’t polluted before you’ve even had a chance to create it. Whether it’s a past trauma or a difficult family situation, mentally overcoming such challenges is often the most important first step in personal advancement” (15). Both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this powerful book together. It is loaded with tons of hands on advice, and I whole-heartedly recommend it as a gift to anybody, young or old, who has even an inkling of artistic ambition.
It becomes crystal clear that Quincy did a lot of inward reflection and now finds himself with a strong calling to pass his insights on to future generations. He fully understands the power of the mind and the importance of staying true to your authentic self by establishing positive mantras. “With the general understanding that our thoughts play an important role in the direction of our paths, it’s essential to remain proactive in training those thoughts to continue pointing north, with the assistance of guideposts, whatever form they may come in for you.” (57) Read this book and learn from a man who has had an amazing career in the music industry that goes way back to the 1950’s when he started out as a trumpet player touring with legendary Jazz artists while he was still in his teens!
On a practical level, playing music provides us with the opportunity to establish daily habits that lead to a resilient, strong mind, enriching our souls and flourishing creativity, all while fostering connections with other musicians. These rituals are as important as brushing teeth or learning to read and being a lifelong reader. So much of the fruitful life is based on the ongoing process of forming healthy habits, both mental and physical. I think it is safe to say that all students of music will have to exercise and hone the skill of efficient problem solving. When you find yourself in a challenging time, do not throw in the towel, but take it one step at a time, keep your eyes open for a new route and most importantly, monitor your inner thought life. Let’s keep at it and dare to take part of Quincy’s “relentless pursuit of hope” (17) during our lifelong relationship with music!
Chris
