Instant Gratification

Playing music is one of the best things you can do in this world. There are hundreds of reasons why you would want to play an instrument. You like to play for yourself and enjoy the music or you prefer to play with others and have fun together. You can play to relax or because you're curious.

One of the interesting aspects of making music is that there is always something new to learn. As you're practicing and learning you are becoming better and more proficient, but with every step you take and every level you reach new doors and passages are opening up.

In this day and age there is a conflict between the rising expectation of instant gratification and the study and practicing of skills. When I look around me I see more and more people acting results driven instead of purpose driven. While I would be the first person to acknowledge that we need both ways to succeed in our quest through life I noticed that there is no balance between them anymore. I am afraid and think it is a shame that we are missing out on the little things.

In music, there is no instant gratification. Although, I will immediately revoke that statement. It takes a long time to become proficient in your instrument. It might take a long time to acquire the skills for the style and genre that you want to play. You aren't able to play after just a half hour of practice. The beauty is that practicing and learning gives you instant gratification. And this is where the paragraph about results driven and purpose driven comes into play.

If you're only in it for the results, you will miss out on the beauty of the learning process. You're closing your eyes before the new path that opens up once you achieve the desired result. Music is dynamic. You are never there. You need to have goals you are working towards but while you do so you will learn about new possibilities, opportunities and further reaching goals. I am not advertising to get lost and overloaded with ideas. There are many ways to achieve your goals but you need to stay focused and at the same time open for new things.

Whenever you decide that you are done, you don't have to learn anything anymore you stop making music. That might be a harsh statement but it holds the truth. The minute you decide that you know everything you need to know about your instrument you are able to mechanically reproduce pieces without depth or innovation.

Music will go on and continue to evolve. Are you onboard?