Forgive me if this is a bit off topic for the board. I’ve been interested in the subject of motivation lately, and was wondering if you would share what you consider to be your greatest moments of motivation in your musical journey? I have two in particular that come to mind:
The first was my very first day of college as a freshman. I went up to the music building and found a practice room. After about 30 minutes of what I thought was hard practice, I walked out of the room to grab some water and overheard two violinists in the adjacent practice room. One commented to the other, “whoever that is should probably quit while they’re ahead.” That one comment drove me through my entire degree. I still think about that comment 25 years later when I have feelings of fear or doubt about my playing. The second came in the 2nd semester of my doctoral studies. I had busted my butt for an entire semester practicing longer and harder than I ever had before. I submitted recordings for several competitions, including the Falcone competition and the ITEC competition. I remember the day that I found out that I had not been accepted into either. My teacher caught me sulking on the steps outside the music building. I told him what happened and that I didn’t know if I had what it takes to be successful in music. He remained quiet for a moment then calmly replied “well, maybe you don’t,” and walked away. From that moment I realized that I had to take responsibility and believe in my own ability and potential. I still consider that to be the greatest teaching moment of my life.
Of course these are very personal moments, but I’d love to hear of other’s most motivational moments.
Both of those moments paid off btw. From my freshman to sophomore year I went from 4th chair in the 3rd concert band that year to 2nd chair in the wind ensemble the next year, sitting between 2 graduate students, and was principal euphonium in my junior year. The year after my graduate teacher’s comment I placed 2nd in the Falcone competition, and won both the Falcone and ITEC competitions the following year.
The first was my very first day of college as a freshman. I went up to the music building and found a practice room. After about 30 minutes of what I thought was hard practice, I walked out of the room to grab some water and overheard two violinists in the adjacent practice room. One commented to the other, “whoever that is should probably quit while they’re ahead.” That one comment drove me through my entire degree. I still think about that comment 25 years later when I have feelings of fear or doubt about my playing. The second came in the 2nd semester of my doctoral studies. I had busted my butt for an entire semester practicing longer and harder than I ever had before. I submitted recordings for several competitions, including the Falcone competition and the ITEC competition. I remember the day that I found out that I had not been accepted into either. My teacher caught me sulking on the steps outside the music building. I told him what happened and that I didn’t know if I had what it takes to be successful in music. He remained quiet for a moment then calmly replied “well, maybe you don’t,” and walked away. From that moment I realized that I had to take responsibility and believe in my own ability and potential. I still consider that to be the greatest teaching moment of my life.
Of course these are very personal moments, but I’d love to hear of other’s most motivational moments.
Both of those moments paid off btw. From my freshman to sophomore year I went from 4th chair in the 3rd concert band that year to 2nd chair in the wind ensemble the next year, sitting between 2 graduate students, and was principal euphonium in my junior year. The year after my graduate teacher’s comment I placed 2nd in the Falcone competition, and won both the Falcone and ITEC competitions the following year.
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