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veery715 · 04-03-2008, 11:17 AM

How many of the great players you listen to in your collection of CDs (or whatever) got that way without a great deal of effort? Don't you wish you could play like Satchmo or Miles just with a snap of your fingers?
I am sure many of us imagine ourselves someday playing at that level, but imagination just won't do it. The ONLY path to that goal, if achievable, is through absolute tons of practicing - the term woodshedding exists to describe that kind of dedication to developing your skills. You may love it or hate it, but you must do it in either case. It is work. You expend energy. You get tired. But you persevere, if you are to reach your goal, because there is no other way.
It's great to be idealistic, but don't lose touch with reality. Making a living doing what you love is absolutely wonderful. But that doesn't mean it isn't work. Getting loads of pure pleasure from your vocation is totally awesome. But it's still work. Work and pleasure are not mutually exclusive by definition, though for many folks they can be. Those of us lucky enough to truly enjoy what we do for a living are justifiably offended when we are told that it isn't work.

04-03-2008, 11:17 AM	#66 (permalink)
veery715 Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ithaca NY Posts: 628	Re: Music is not Work How many of the great players you listen to in your collection of CDs (or whatever) got that way without a great deal of effort? Don't you wish you could play like Satchmo or Miles just with a snap of your fingers? I am sure many of us imagine ourselves someday playing at that level, but imagination just won't do it. The ONLY path to that goal, if achievable, is through absolute tons of practicing - the term woodshedding exists to describe that kind of dedication to developing your skills. You may love it or hate it, but you must do it in either case. It is work. You expend energy. You get tired. But you persevere, if you are to reach your goal, because there is *no other way.* It's great to be idealistic, but don't lose touch with reality. Making a living doing what you love is absolutely wonderful. But that doesn't mean it isn't work. Getting loads of pure pleasure from your vocation is totally awesome. But it's still work. Work and pleasure are not mutually exclusive by definition, though for many folks they can be. Those of us lucky enough to truly enjoy what we do for a living are justifiably offended when we are told that it isn't work. __________________ Music = Love Trumpets: Lawler Bb / Olds Recording / Schilke B2 Selmer Rad 2 / Yamaha 8310Z Holton MF ST 550S / Stage 1 California C Easyplay mini-trumpet (????) / Chinese Special / Benetone 1934 Cleveland (HN White) 603 Silver Plate w/ Gold Bell Kanstul ZKT 1525 Flugelhorn Cornets: Conn 36A / King Super 20 Master Olds Ambassador / Conn 18A King HN White 1904 Bb+A / Ohio Regent Soloist Conn 16E Eb/F Mellophone Piano, keyboards, vibes, congas, guitars, yada yada