Practice

Practice makes perfect

Posted byMusical ConnectionsAugust 23, 2023Posted inUncategorizedTags:connectivity, creativity, excellence, music, sport

In my introduction, I mentioned the principle of 10,000 hours. The original idea comes from a paper written by a University of Colorado Professor, Anders Ericsson entitled ‘The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance.’ The title speaks for itself and various writers, including; Malcolm Gladwell, Geoff Colvin and John Coyle have picked up the concept in their writings.

There is no doubt, being chained to your musical instrument for a considerable amount of time will help you become better – indeed practising is essential, but I rail against the concept of becoming ‘perfect’.

I think we can re-frame those words into something more constructive.

I was attending a master-class on the organ with the supremo organist and teacher Dame Gillian Weir. During my time in the spotlight, I became increasingly frustrated at the mistakes I was making, as perhaps one would in front of a world class player and one’s peers. At the end she said very gently;

“aim for excellence, not perfection“

Consider sport for a moment. Has there ever been a ‘perfect’ game where no player has ever made a mistake? What would that game be like? We talk about ‘playing’ an instrument as well as ‘playing’ a game. In any high spirited game, you can feel the players and crowd engrossed and consumed with the rise and fall of tension – just like performers and audience do during a piece of passionately played music which emotionally expands and contracts.

The result, or experience for those watching or listening, warts and all, is often truly uplifting.

To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.

Ludwig Van Beethoven