This is one of the world's leading jazz educators, Jerry Bergonzi, talking about teaching advanced pupils.
You hit the glass ceiling when you know you are not going to get any better.
All professionals in any sport or artistic endeavour know of it.
We know how you've got where you are. Thousands of hours of work were needed to get where you are. (Yes, count them up. 1 hour a day is 1,000 in only three years) Through drive and initiative you've worked so hard for it. You've done everything to hit this peak.
Why can't you go higher? Put these reasons in order:
You don't really want to, you'd rather rest on your laurels and have fun.
You've hit a physical barrier, which stops you.
You've found another interest to absorb you.
You can't see the point of trying to be better.
You may be struggling just to keep where you are.
Time, not enough of it.
There is nothing wrong with any of these, nothing at all. You deserve a break. It is true that few people will notice a small improvement in your playing - only you.
WHEN DO YOU KNOW YOU'VE HIT THE CEILING.
Simple.When you find your playing is repetitious, doing the same old same old, using familiar licks, not enough mistakes. Yes, not enough mistakes.
I'm in Scotland at the moment. 15 years ago when we came here I brought a small keyboard to practise on every night. Haven't done that in years. Enthusiasm dimmed. I'm guilty too.
What do you think? Worth a review of where you are, perhaps?
John
The Jazz Smugglers bands in Sussex
The Jazz Smugglers workshop, Bosham, Sussex
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I'd really like to be st thst place when I PRACTICE. When I'm performing, like lots of players, I tend to pkay it a bit safer and rely on fhings well known, rather than chancing things that nay not work musically.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm practicing, however, its a different matter, lots ic chances tsken, most of them don't work out, but the odd one are two are eventually remembered, over time, and then gradually introduced into the safety zone for performance.