Re: [Harp-L] Deliberate Practice

[Daniel Gage <dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I always say that work will get you somewhere, regardless of talent.  Talent without work. . . is just wasted talent.  

Dan Gage

harp content: You're never too good to put work into your bends.


>Richard Hunter Wrote (snipped)>>
> I believe that Buckingham is more right than not. 
> Certainly talent for music is something that one possesses
> to a greater or lesser degree, and I'm not going to be as
> good a composer as Beethoven or Mozart no matter how much
> time I put into it or training I get.  The thing is,
> you don't know how much talent you really have until you try
> hard. I'd say that one good leading indicator for talent in
> music is how well and deeply you listen.  When you hear
> certain records, do they thrill you at a deep level--is the
> experience totally consuming, to the point that you MUST
> learn how it was done?  Do you find yourself picking
> out certain parts of the music as critical to your emotional
> experience--for example, the way a certain phrase or certain
> note was played?  Those are signs that your mind is
> working on the music while you listen, which in turn is a
> sign of talent. 
> 
> The other thing is that no matter how much talent you have,
> you can't develop the talent fully without skill and
> knowledge.  There are lots of ways to get skill and
> knowledge, of course.  I had formal training, but
> plenty of great musicians don't.  The important factor
> is devoting time and attention to the acquisition of skill
> and knowledge (as per Malcom Gladwell's 10,000 hour
> rule).  People who have plenty of discipline or desire
> can find that time on their own in many cases.  Some
> people find that taking a course or a degree program makes
> it easier for them to make the time.  And almost anyone
> can learn things from other people--teachers, players, or
> listeners--that they can't or won't figure out on their
> own.  
> 
> Which brings us back to listening.  Ultimately, great
> musicians are great listeners.  The most direct way to
> learn to play better, once you've acquired a baseline of
> technique, is to listen better.
> 
> Regards, Richard Hunter
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> author, "Jazz Harp"
> latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
> more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
> Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
>