A couple of months back, I used the saying "clubbing the alligator
closest to the canoe" in a newsletter and many, many of you could
really identify with that concept. The volume of email I got was
way more than usual after that newsletter, which was great. I like
to know when I'm on the right track and I enjoy hearing from you.
The encouragement keeps me going. It really does.
I have another saying for you that I suspect you can all identify
with. Actually it's a question:
Question: "How do you eat an elephant?"
Answer: "One bite at a time."
I have a very impatient 10-year-old daughter. For instance, she
wants to be the next Hanna Montana, and I mean she wants to go
on tour NOW. I try to explain the work involved prior to fame, but
she just doesn't want to hear that. It's too much work and it takes
much too much time. That's when I asked her this question. The
point I was trying to make is that sure, it seems insurmountable,
but you'd be surprised what can be accomplished when you do a
little bit at a time. I sure hope that idea sinks in with her, and
SOON!
I think this idea extends to our playing. When I was new to the
instrument, keeping up in a jam was something that it felt I would
never be able to do. When I could keep up, I would occasionally
hear songs or arrangements that seemed way too difficult for me.
You've probably been right where I'm describing.
I want to redefine the answer to the question to apply to improving
our playing ability. So here goes:
Question: "How do you eat an elephant?"
Answer:
"Step 1: Find an elephant.
Step 2: Eat it one bite at a time."
The point is this; if you want to continue to improve, find
"elephants" that seem insurmountable, and chip away at them until
you master them.
For instance, find a song or arrangements that just blows you away,
then work them out a few notes, or a line at a time. It's hard
work, even agonizing and uncomfortable at times, but you know from
experience that hard things just get easier as we work on them.
This "eat the elephant" attitude toward your instrument keeps
it interesting and challenging, and the leaps and bounds you'll
make!
Honestly, I go through periods when I'm cruising and not
challenging myself. My challenge is to constantly challenge
myself. I've got a few elephants that I'm wrestling to the ground
these days.
How about you?
