June 2023 Guitar Newsletter: The Ongoing Virtues of Self-Control and Discipline for Musicians

In June’s guitar newsletter, I want to point back to a basic concept at the heart of learning an instrument and the key to eventually playing music with other musicians:  the importance of developing the discipline to practice.  An excellent book called “The Big Gig” written by a professional drummer named Zoro has loads of practical advice to this end.  Although geared towards priming young musicians, I think parents will also gain valuable insights. 

Ask any musician and they will reveal that at some point they experienced a great passion for an instrument.  This can happen at any stage of learning.  When I began, I was not always thrilled about having guitar lessons.  I didn’t mind it but would have gladly kept exploring the neighborhood on my BMX bike instead.  However, years later during junior high and high school, that little start at 9 allowed a spark to turn into a huge flame.  Playing guitar literally became a lifesaver for me and brought purpose into tumultuous years.  To this day, I am still genuinely interested in the guitar, love music and simply seem to be wired that way.  I am very grateful to find myself in a vocation where I can share my journey.

Let’s make it very clear that a young person’s passion or interest alone won’t get them anywhere though.  I am afraid that especially many non-musicians think that the labels of passion or calling somehow automatically put in place the drive and determination it takes to become skilled.  It doesn’t.  You have to put in the time, sweat and possibly even tears and keep striving for what you are aiming for.  Zoro recalls during his high school junior year learning of a very famous saxophonist creating idiosyncratic jazz music.  “One thing I remember reading in particular was how iconic jazz saxophonist John Coltrane would sit and practice just the C scale for eight hours straight, and then follow the same routine with another scale the following day.  ‘Man,’ I thought, ‘now that’s discipline and determination!’  Stories like his had a powerful effect on me, and I soon learned that they were not at all uncommon with great musicians.  I became inspired to make that same kind of effort” (103).  

These anecdotes are impactful and any kid getting serious about playing an instrument will quickly find out being good at it will only come about by spending time focused on your playing!  I remember being a teenager and going through a phase where I REALLY wanted an Atari video game. However, my dad refused to get me one.  It wasn’t because he was a mean guy, quite the opposite.  He knew what was best for me.  Sure, I still spent plenty of time watching MTV waiting for my favorite guitar hero to play a ripping solo, but a good chunk of time after school or on the weekends went into practicing my instrument.

Keep in mind that every musician goes on this journey of dedication with a different mindset.  Some musicians absolutely despise the idea of practicing scales for hours.  “To most musicians, discipline is like what a sunny day at the beach is to Dracula—deadly!  More, to the point, practicing is a solitary business that, in a way, represents the death of your freedom (99).”  Ouch, that might sting, but it is very well put!  Nonetheless, other artists realize the benefits of a rigorous practice routine and cash in from the step-by-step structure.  
“Some people regard discipline as a chore.  For me, it is a kind of order that sets one free to fly.  --Julie Andrews” (99).

Regardless of what approach you take, one thing is certain:  it will take time and commitment to create original music with real musicians.  In my teens, I had monthly subscriptions to guitar magazines and read interviews that made it quite clear; you will have to practice a lot and stick with it despite how you feel about it.  I am sure my guitar teacher and band director reassured me about that reality also, but I wonder if reading and discovering that truth for myself was equally impactful. 
May this be a call to parents to help their children to stick with it for the long haul and also encourage them to explore music.  Their new found heroes will inform them that learning an instrument doesn’t come overnight or by staring at a screen.  The music that I enjoy listening to most has its own unique stamp to it, and all of my guitar idols agree that the highest goal is to find your own voice which will happen only through daily contact with your instrument!
Chris