All of those private lessons taught me a few things:
Be yourself.
-Don't let others dictate your life. Don't be shy around certain people when you really aren't a shy person.
Make music for yourself, not because someone else wants you to.
-This is one of the most important lessons I have learned. Hearing this was part of what made me choose to study music in college. This was a reminder to play the trumpet for myself and not my parents!
Make music for yourself, not because someone else wants you to.
-This is one of the most important lessons I have learned. Hearing this was part of what made me choose to study music in college. This was a reminder to play the trumpet for myself and not my parents!
You have the choice to practice, so choose wisely.
-The only thing stopping you from practicing is yourself. You choose to do other things instead of practicing..there are no excuses for not practicing...
There will always be someone out there who is better than you.
-One of the best opportunities for young players is to attend festivals and camps with peers. Not only do you meet so many new friends, but you are reminded to keep working hard because there will always be someone, somewhere in the world who is better than you.
Always strive for greatness.
-If you don't like the way you sound, then change the way you sound. If you didn't like that attack, start the phrase over. If you only strive for mediocre playing, then you will never be great-only mediocre. If you strive for greatness, then someday you will be a great player.
Don't stop just because you missed one note.
-This has been something that I have continuously struggled with since the beginning..So what, you missed one note: make a mental note and keep going-then come back to that spot later and work on that note/passage.
Confidence
-If you think that you can't hit the high C..then you probably won't..you have to be confident in what you do and believe in yourself. If you are confident that you can play something, then it will most likely be more successful. If you believe, than you can achieve...it's all mental.
Rests are important in the music.
-If there is a half rest..then play a half rest, not a dotted quarter rest...the piano part or other part of the ensemble probably has something important.
Self-discipline
-This relates back to choosing to practice. So, you choose to practice..but are you going to choose to practice the right way or the wrong way..will you practice what was assigned for your lesson or will you choose to practice other things that are more 'fun' to you...are you going to just run through your solo piece or are you going to isolate the tough passages and spend the needed time on them..
You don't have to love every piece of music that you perform.
-This is one of my weaknesses. Just because you don't love a piece of music, that doesn't me that you shouldn't work hard at it. Mostly likely you were told you were performing the piece, so make the most of it and sound your best.
Conquering fear/stage-fright.
-This relates back to confidence..if you are confident and have prepared to the best of your ability..then what is there to be nervous about. "Whatever happens, happens!" This was a great motto that I learned during my first summer at ISYM after I bombed my audition..if you mess one etude up..clear your mind and start the next one fresh, as if you never messed up.
We all make mistakes.
-We are humans..we aren't perfect. It's okay to make a mistake..the important thing is that you know you made the mistake and that you go back and fix it. (Also relates to #7)
Sometimes you need a day away from the horn.
-Sometimes your face needs a break from playing..those muscles need a break..or sometimes you mentally need a break..you need to clear your mind from all things trumpet..
Bad playing days aren't necessarily a bad thing.
-We all have what we consider to be bad playing days..but the important thing is that we learn from those bad days..think about why you considered it a bad playing day and how you can fix that in the future.
The things that you choose not to practice come back to haunt you, whether you like it or not.
-MULTIPLE-TONGUING. GEKKER. LIP SLURS.MOUTHPIECE BUZZING....these are just a few of the things that I chose not to practice during high school..which have come back to haunt me here at college..the things that you keep putting off eventually come back..and then you have to jump over a hurdle to finally work on them..(which is not fun)..so when someone tells you to practice these things...you should just do it..
The beauty of friendship.
-Your private teachers see you every week. They know you better than some of your classmates. Use this to your advantage. If you need advice, ask them. They have all been in your position. When you move on to another teacher..don't lose touch. Being able to call your former teachers who are now your friends on a bad day and get advice is a major pro in life..
***Thank you to my many teachers, whether I studied with you for one hour or for four years..you have all helped me to be the person and musician that I am today. You have all helped me to learn the many lessons discussed in this post. And yes, these lessons are still lessons that I struggle with from day to day.
-One of the best opportunities for young players is to attend festivals and camps with peers. Not only do you meet so many new friends, but you are reminded to keep working hard because there will always be someone, somewhere in the world who is better than you.
Always strive for greatness.
-If you don't like the way you sound, then change the way you sound. If you didn't like that attack, start the phrase over. If you only strive for mediocre playing, then you will never be great-only mediocre. If you strive for greatness, then someday you will be a great player.
Don't stop just because you missed one note.
-This has been something that I have continuously struggled with since the beginning..So what, you missed one note: make a mental note and keep going-then come back to that spot later and work on that note/passage.
Confidence
-If you think that you can't hit the high C..then you probably won't..you have to be confident in what you do and believe in yourself. If you are confident that you can play something, then it will most likely be more successful. If you believe, than you can achieve...it's all mental.
Rests are important in the music.
-If there is a half rest..then play a half rest, not a dotted quarter rest...the piano part or other part of the ensemble probably has something important.
Self-discipline
-This relates back to choosing to practice. So, you choose to practice..but are you going to choose to practice the right way or the wrong way..will you practice what was assigned for your lesson or will you choose to practice other things that are more 'fun' to you...are you going to just run through your solo piece or are you going to isolate the tough passages and spend the needed time on them..
You don't have to love every piece of music that you perform.
-This is one of my weaknesses. Just because you don't love a piece of music, that doesn't me that you shouldn't work hard at it. Mostly likely you were told you were performing the piece, so make the most of it and sound your best.
Conquering fear/stage-fright.
-This relates back to confidence..if you are confident and have prepared to the best of your ability..then what is there to be nervous about. "Whatever happens, happens!" This was a great motto that I learned during my first summer at ISYM after I bombed my audition..if you mess one etude up..clear your mind and start the next one fresh, as if you never messed up.
We all make mistakes.
-We are humans..we aren't perfect. It's okay to make a mistake..the important thing is that you know you made the mistake and that you go back and fix it. (Also relates to #7)
Sometimes you need a day away from the horn.
-Sometimes your face needs a break from playing..those muscles need a break..or sometimes you mentally need a break..you need to clear your mind from all things trumpet..
Bad playing days aren't necessarily a bad thing.
-We all have what we consider to be bad playing days..but the important thing is that we learn from those bad days..think about why you considered it a bad playing day and how you can fix that in the future.
The things that you choose not to practice come back to haunt you, whether you like it or not.
-MULTIPLE-TONGUING. GEKKER. LIP SLURS.MOUTHPIECE BUZZING....these are just a few of the things that I chose not to practice during high school..which have come back to haunt me here at college..the things that you keep putting off eventually come back..and then you have to jump over a hurdle to finally work on them..(which is not fun)..so when someone tells you to practice these things...you should just do it..
The beauty of friendship.
-Your private teachers see you every week. They know you better than some of your classmates. Use this to your advantage. If you need advice, ask them. They have all been in your position. When you move on to another teacher..don't lose touch. Being able to call your former teachers who are now your friends on a bad day and get advice is a major pro in life..
***Thank you to my many teachers, whether I studied with you for one hour or for four years..you have all helped me to be the person and musician that I am today. You have all helped me to learn the many lessons discussed in this post. And yes, these lessons are still lessons that I struggle with from day to day.
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