I normally don’t comment on anything but I was a parent of a son who didn’t practice unless and until he had a solo, which was frequently. My son is a violinist, guitarist, and a fan of you as well as Daniel D, Black Violin, etc. He was also the kid that wouldn’t practice. Or perhaps I should qualify that by saying he wouldn’t practice what he was assigned to work on. He didn’t get that part (practicing) together until his second year in college. What I think the private instructors didn’t get about him that his orchestra teachers did understand was that he was creating something new in his head, something different. He may not have fully understood he lacked the technique to execute what he was composing. He volunteers sometimes with the middle school and high school orchestras and he has to chuckle when he sees a version of himself in the classroom. He always only wanted to be a musician. Because of his talent (not his practice), he was pretty much first chair the whole time he was in school. That being said, the 20 year old version of him does practice but he doesn’t regret the childhood version of himself that was trying to beatbox and make the violin work with it at the same time. Both myself and his teachers were frustrated.
Hahahaha he sounds exactly like one of the violinists in my quartet! Talent is amazing, but hard work breeds fulfillment! Does he still play to this day?!
Yes. Absolutely he plays. It’s the only thing he ever wanted to do. He is in a pop rock band that plays indie and pop. He also is in a jazz ensemble. And he still plays solo violin gigs for weddings and such. He does put in the hard work now as a 20 year old. He hit a point in college where his professor called him out on it and said he wouldn’t be allowed to perform so he straightened up.
I couldn't agree with this more! The more we as musicians and teachers treat our profession like the important service it is, the more others will respect our time, rates, and qualifications! You inspire me to do better. Thanks, Drew!
I normally don’t comment on anything but I was a parent of a son who didn’t practice unless and until he had a solo, which was frequently. My son is a violinist, guitarist, and a fan of you as well as Daniel D, Black Violin, etc. He was also the kid that wouldn’t practice. Or perhaps I should qualify that by saying he wouldn’t practice what he was assigned to work on. He didn’t get that part (practicing) together until his second year in college. What I think the private instructors didn’t get about him that his orchestra teachers did understand was that he was creating something new in his head, something different. He may not have fully understood he lacked the technique to execute what he was composing. He volunteers sometimes with the middle school and high school orchestras and he has to chuckle when he sees a version of himself in the classroom. He always only wanted to be a musician. Because of his talent (not his practice), he was pretty much first chair the whole time he was in school. That being said, the 20 year old version of him does practice but he doesn’t regret the childhood version of himself that was trying to beatbox and make the violin work with it at the same time. Both myself and his teachers were frustrated.
Hahahaha he sounds exactly like one of the violinists in my quartet! Talent is amazing, but hard work breeds fulfillment! Does he still play to this day?!
Yes. Absolutely he plays. It’s the only thing he ever wanted to do. He is in a pop rock band that plays indie and pop. He also is in a jazz ensemble. And he still plays solo violin gigs for weddings and such. He does put in the hard work now as a 20 year old. He hit a point in college where his professor called him out on it and said he wouldn’t be allowed to perform so he straightened up.
https://open.spotify.com/track/6Hm87Hy6qrGIiDKKHQ2l4B?si=V0_U_GM0TK-9Xmx-eEB1BA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A1ssZygyXb9DnXDukk46IJa
He released this in high school.
I couldn't agree with this more! The more we as musicians and teachers treat our profession like the important service it is, the more others will respect our time, rates, and qualifications! You inspire me to do better. Thanks, Drew!
Thanks for reading, Melissa!!! Yes, you can’t harbor respect if you do not create boundaries
Love this bro!!
Love YOU, bro!!