Thoughts on Discipline
by Jack Grassel
This picture was taken on the night I decided a seven string was not the best choice as a vehicle to present my musical vision.
After practicing it for 2 years, I realized that the 7 was diminishing my 6 string ability and hurting my left wrist. On the previous night's gig, I broke a string on my 6. I didn't replace it and finished the gig with 5 strings and learned that even 5 strings are enough. On the night pictured here the band kept playing during my "solo" and were the only ones that knew the direction I was going to take. The audience thought that I had a mental breakdown, but in actuality this was a completely sane act. They came up to the stage and picked up the all the guitar pieces for souvenirs. The neck was hung on the wall at the Uptowner for a few weeks then mysteriously disappeared. The feeling was wonderful.
SUPPORT MATERIAL:
"POWER PRACTICING" by Jack Grassel
"BRAIN RESPIRATION - Making your brain creative, peaceful, and productive" by Ilchi Lee (not available here but highly recommended)
"BRAIN TRAINING" - by Jack Grassel
Musicians often come up after seminars and say they "have trouble disciplining themselves"
What does the word "discipline" mean?
- To force oneself or another to do something against the will.
- To punish someone for their unacceptable actions.
- To prepare by education, to study.
What does the word "play" mean ?
- An activity that's fun and brings pleasure to the participant.
- An activity that wants to be engaged in.
Frequently, students will say: "I have no discipline and have trouble forcing myself to play !"
There are two solutions:
- Stop "playing" at once if it brings you discomfort.
- Learn how to enjoy practicing.
To play music well, you need to make it enjoyable, so that you will practice a lot and prefer that activity over others that are less enjoyable.
Practicing becomes frustrating when the material to be learned is too hard and there's no progress. Choose mildly challenging reachable goals.
Have many items to practice, so that every 5-20 minutes you can change material, to maintainconcentration.
Practice three or more times a day and do something different each 20 minute session.
Give yourself permission to enjoy practicing.
Everyone has different learning needs and attention spans. You need to know yours.
Is your posture so bad that your body hurts when you practice?