I have always enjoyed music. Whether listening, singing or playing an instrument, music has been one of my pleasures for my whole life. I took my first piano lesson when I was about 8 years old. I can still remember practicing my first piece, “Camp Town Races” on the piano in my mother’s dining room. I must say however that I was a very poor piano student. Despite having 6-7 years of lessons, I can’t play a lick of piano today. I had a bit more success learning the trumpet however. I first started playing about age 10 in my grade school band, and I continued to play all through my school years even sitting first chair French horn and playing second trumpet in a jazz band. It was tremendous enjoyment, and I still recall fondly those years.
I still play the trumpet when I find the time. Being a bit older and perhaps more seasoned these days, the routine practice time which I dreaded in my youth, is actually one of my more favorite activities. Standing alone (I always practice standing) in my little music area playing first drills and development techniques and then playing some favorite jazz licks and maybe a few improvisational solos, provides a steady routine and anchor to what can be a chaotic day of modern life.
One thing that I’ve really noticed as I concentrate more on my techniques and results of my practice is that progressing forward or backward in my abilities is distinctly measureable. This is a much different approach than I used to have about my playing and performing. The conventional way to learn an instrument is for a young student to learn a particular piece of music, and then practice it until it is mastered. Then move on to the next piece of music. It’s kind of a “lather, rinse, repeat” kind of motion. The thinking, I guess, is that if the music that is learned is different enough, the foundational skills required for the musician will be developed automatically. While this can be an extremely effective way to get a student started, it often glosses over the need to develop and progress daily in the fundamental skills.
Over the past few years as I have gotten a bit more serious about developing my abilities, I’ve read a lot of material from some of the best known trumpet players such as Dizzy Gillespie, Doc Severinsen, Maynard Ferguson, and many others that are not household names. One of the things that becomes painfully obvious is that many of the very best players had an “ah hah” moment somewhere in their career that flipped them from the “later, rinse, repeat” of learning a piece of music, to the more structured study and development of basic skills.
Practice must be done with a constant goal in mind just as in the construction of a tall building. The start is made by building a strong foundation upon which a skyscraper may be erected. This is an orderly process… So it is with the brass instrument. Altogether too many students try to put a roof on before they have even built a foundation, and the trouble starts immediately.[1]
The most interesting thing happens once you begin to think basic skills versus learning music. I used to approach a new piece of music with dread, thinking, “How am I ever going to learn that?” Now I have a fresh approach, “What basic skills to I need to master to play that?” This minor yet primary shift in thinking opens up a world of difference when it comes to playing. Instead of frustration, there is always a path forward.
The best news for someone like me is that some of the very best, world renowned trumpet and cornet teachers and performers documented this approach, so it is quite simple with proper discipline to discover the path to skill development.
To become an expert in the cornet, one should familiarize himself with as much material for his instrument as possible. In this way a substantial musical background is assimilated and much information and knowledge is gained.
There are few celebrated cornet soloists, although thousands play the instrument. Most players practice incorrectly and by neglecting elementary work, lose many of the benefits to be gained.[2]
Applying a foundational approach, there is always a direction to follow without the frustration of insurmountable hurdles. All it takes is proper discipline and patience to develop the skill desired. After the skill is developed, learning and playing a particular piece of music can be undertaken with confidence and without fear.
Of course, “what’s the catch?” The catch is that basic skills tend to get better when you use them and get worse when you don’t. Meaning for daily routine you have to practice everything you’ve mastered and then push forward a little bit with skills you’re developing. I read once (I can’t remember where), “You can only go forward or backward, there is no standing still.”
It strikes me that there are some strong parallels with living a Christian Life. In one letter from Paul to the
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3, KJV)
There are a few things that strike me about this passage of the letter. First, Paul is clearly saying, hey I’m just as imperfect as you are. Secondly, none of that really matters, because it’s the future that’s important. And lastly, my goal is clear, and I encourage you to stand with me as I march continuously forward towards achieving it.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (Philippians 3, KJV)
There are many examples of warnings straying too far from the path. One on my favorites is:
23 But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you. 24 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward. (Jeremiah 7, NAS)
Of course, the path was never promised to be easy.
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7, KJV)
Perhaps the most poignant example of the hard road is that of Jesus himself. Knowing what lay before him in just a few short days, he stops in the garden to ask, unsuccessfully, for a change in plans.
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called
It is interesting that Jesus took only three with him to pray, and why these three and not some other? In the end however I do not think that even these three could see the imminent danger approaching. I don’t think I would have been able to sleep if I knew someone so close to me was about to be betrayed and killed; however, sleep they did.
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. (Mark 14, KJV)
There are several things about this event that should be troubling to all of us. Twice Jesus asked them to pray and twice he returned to find them sleeping. On the third return from prayer, Jesus says to them go ahead and sleep. Only then do they spring into action. On all three occasions they do the exact opposite of that which was asked. How many of us have made the same type mistake? We all have acted in a way 180 degrees away from that which is required.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3, NAS)
It is clear in reading the letters of Paul, Timothy and others that maintaining the spirits of the newly formed churches throughout the region was an ongoing challenge. For example in Paul’s letter to the Church at
13 Remain alert. Keep standing firm in your faith. Keep on being courageous and strong. (1 Corinthians 16, ISV)
Perhaps the most encouraging message is represented in the Second Epistle of Peter where as encouragement, the following is offered:
12 as you look forward to and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved and the elements will melt with fire. 13 But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. (2 Peter 3, ISV)
Look not behind, but always ahead, always forward to that which is promised to be.
Timothy Hill
(Used with permission)
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