An inspiring collection of lessons in cultivating the proper mindset and attitude towards the notions of “talent” and success in both music and life…
Investing a half hour to do so will pay huge dividends in every aspect of your music making, guaranteed!
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
The LOVE of music and willingness to try.
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What is Success? (Micro-Lessons)
Short & sweet reminders for cultivating a healthy attitude towards success in our music-making and life in general!
Our reasons for playing
should be BIGGER than the music…
Things like creativity, discipline, fun,
freedom, fellowship, self-actualization,
peace, service, and love of life.
Studying and playing music
should relieve stress, not create it.
YOUR yardstick for success
is the only one that counts.
Your HAPPINESS is more important
than what people think of you.
Studying music gives you
the opportunity to see that you are smarter
and more talented than you think.
MASTERY belongs to those
who refuse to quit when things seem impossible.
AUTHENTIC ART
is not a commodity to be marketed,
consumed, and collected…
AUTHENTIC ART
is a vehicle that connects, inspires, and heals.
Happiness is possible
when you are the master of,
not a slave to, your talents.
Talent alone can take you only so far…
LOVE, on the other hand,
will take you places you cannot yet imagine!
Don’t play to impress…
Play to CONNECT—
with the music, with yourself, and with others.
Having FUN
is more important than being perfect.
Having a LIFE
is more important than having a career.
You can only be happy if your music
is a way to CONNECT with others,
not to compete with them.
Myth: The gift is talent…
You either have it or you don’t.
Truth: The real gift is LOVE…
You either have it or you don’t.
The famous words of Henry Ford…
“Whether you think you can,
or think you can’t,
you’re right.”
Let your musical life reflect
your DEEPEST VALUES…
and you can’t go wrong.
Please let Frank know if you’d like to get these micro-lessons as a PDF or set of MP3s.
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Mindset & Attitude Q&A
Q: What comes to mind and how do you feel when you hear people use the the world “talent”?
A: Great talents really do exist–humans with exceptional IQs, perfect pitch, photographic memories, exquisite hand-eye coordination, and no fear of the stage. But I cringe every time I hear the word “talent” used as a label. Because doing so can do great harm in many ways. Two ways come immediately to mind: First, labeling someone as “talented” risks discounting their hard-won accomplishments. And second, labelling someone as “untalented” risks inviting them to quit before even trying.
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Inspiring Quotes for Musicians
Frank’s personal collection of inspiring quotes that remind us that making music is always about something bigger than the music!
“He who works with his hands is a laborer…
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman…
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an ARTIST.”
~ author unknown
“Music is what tells us that the human race
is greater than we realize.”
~ Napoleon Bonaparte
“The easiest way to avoid wrong notes
is to never open your mouth and sing.
What a mistake that would be.”
~ Pete Seeger
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.”
~ Chinese Proverb
“Men trip not on mountains, but on stones.”
~ Hindustani proverb…
Don’t think about making art.
Just get it done.
Let everyone else decide if it’s good or not,
whether they love it or hate it.
While they are deciding, make even more art.”
~ Andy Warhol
No matter what language we speak,
what color we are, the form of our politics
or the expression of our love and our faith,
music proves: We are the same.”
~ John Denver
“The true beauty of music
is that it connects people.”
~ Roy Ayers
“In order to be a virtuoso, a master of one’s art and one’s instrument,
it is necessary with a truly angelic or asinine patience
to try over and over again,
dozens, hundreds, thousands of times,
different ways of expressing one’s ideas or moods,
sparing neither labor, not time, nor health.
Objectionable, tedious, irritating labor–
this is the condition of genius,
which no doubt explains the reason
why men so rarely achieve anything…
The majority prefer talent, that medium
that lies between genius and mediocrity.”
~ Lev Shestov
“When you [we] play music,
you [we] discover a part of yourself [ourselves]
that you [we] never knew existed.”
~ Bill Evans
“Music can change the world.”
~ Ludwig van Beethoven
“If you ever get discourage…
take five minute of your time to sit quiet
and imagine yourself without hands.
The joy to be able to do something
so wonderful with your fingers,
even if was only one note at each 10 seconds
will sounds to you like a miracle of life.
Soon you will get back to your piano
with a new refresh BIG SMILE.”
~ author unknown
Please comment below with a quote that’s inspired YOU on your musical journey. Frank would love to add it above.
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What is Smart?
What is Smart? (A Human View of Intelligence)
An invitation to embrace a profoundly human definition of “smart”–an intelligence that thinks, feels, and does in service to a meaningful life!
Let’s begin our journey by putting a poisonous, human-potential-stifling myth to rest.
Contrary to the IQ fundamentalist view… that intelligence is biologically-determined and fixed over time… all reputable research shows that intelligence is adaptable and expandable with the right kind of effort. In other words, if you use your brain the right way and expose your brain to the right stuff, you get smarter.
The you-either-have-it-or-you-don’t school views intelligence in very narrow terms (with a strong bias towards analytical skills that are readily measured using things such as an IQ test) and ignores (or rejects) the crucially important fact that human beings have something called agency.
Agency means that we can, if we so choose, play an active role in the learning process… by seeking knowledge, evaluating knowledge, constructing knowledge, and applying knowledge. Analytical skills are important, but so are many other assets (do I dare to call them talents?)… such as honesty, curiosity, imagination, creativity, conviction, perseverance, passion, empathy, resilience, and devotion, to name but a few.
In this broader view, the most authentic measure of intelligence is the degree to which one is successful at living a meaningful life.
Successfully intelligent people are causes, not merely products. They recognize their strengths and weaknesses and use flexible strategies to achieve their dreams given the unique context of their own lives, with all its blessings and burdens. As such, there is no single definition of “success” and therefore no single way to define or measure “smart”.
In summary, intelligence is not some fixed, measurable quantity. Intelligence is not an essence; Intelligence is a process… an eminently human process in search of meaning… interacting with and influencing one’s world in service to one’s authentic dreams.
Intelligence, in the most profound sense, is an attitude toward this mysterious opportunity called life.
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“Talent”: It’s Just a Six-Letter Word
There’s no doubt that people differ in levels of expertise and performance in various fields that most consider to be extremely difficult: music, art, sports, chess, calculus, quantum physics… to name but a few.
And there is a widespread belief that there are a rare few individuals who “have it” and a vast majority of ordinary people who “don’t”.
Those who are deemed to “have it” are considered special, fundamentally different from the rest. They are called “gifted”, “talented”, “geniuses”, “naturals”.
What are we mere mortals, those of us without exceptional IQs, perfect pitch, photographic memories, or exquisite hand-eye coordination supposed to do?
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The Nature Nurture Debate
The fact that some people are remarkably skilled at something does not necessarily prove the existence of some innate gift…
Such differences may be explained by a variety of of other factors: motivation, personality, character traits, prior knowledge, problem-solving experience, access to excellent teachers and mentors, social supports, social pressures, work ethic, self-confidence, as well as the time, health, and safety to pursue their interests… to name but a few.
It is typically not possible to know from someone’s performance alone how they attained their level of competence. Are they a genetically-gifted rarity, a socially-gifted rarity, a highly-motivated rarity, or all of the above?
Consider this: Mozart is held up as an exemplar of the truly gifted prodigy, the “proof” that you either have it or you don’t.
But the less-appreciated fact is that he was born into a richly musical and privileged household. While is it widely accepted that Wolfgang Amadeus was born special, it must also be admitted that he was raised special.
Mozart’s genius blossomed in an exceptionally nurturing environment that provided both a highly-focused education and unconstrained freedom to pursue his music. Imagine what kind of music Mozart may or may not have made if his DNA was born dirt-poor in ancient Greece or on 52nd Street as Thelonius Monk’s younger brother or to an Aboriginal tribe in the present day.
Of course, if the raw materials for his musical brain were trapped in a girl’s body in Salzburg in 1756, we would have never heard of her.
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Labeling Theory (The Talent Trap)
It’s a huge mistake to define “talent” only in terms of performance rather than potential…
A mistake to define “talent” only in terms of inherited predispositions rather than the capacity to learn…
to define “talent” only in terms of narrowly-defined capabilities rather than a view of the whole person. What, for example, is the fruit of categorizing people based on an IQ test?
to define “talent” only in terms of observable skills rather than character traits. Why are curiosity, enthusiasm, industry, sensitivity, passion, empathy, discipline, courage, perseverance, honesty, kindness, compassion, and optimism not considered talents?
to use the word “talent” to discount or diminish the hard-won accomplishments of successful people.
and to use one’s supposed lack of “talent” as a crutch in order to justify one’s lack of accomplishment.
Furthermore, making this mistake has crucial implications per the power of self-fulfilling prophecy.
On the one hand, those labeled “untalented” may believe that effort is pointless and give up before even trying. They may believe that they are not special and therefore not worthy of doing important things. Even worse, they may believe they are not special and therefore not responsible for doing important things.
On the other hand, even those labeled “talented” and who are accorded special attention and opportunities are in danger. Because those who are rewarded for their “talents” may adapt their behavior to maintain such rewards–a dependency on extrinsic motivation that is unsustainable and not typically in their interest. Furthermore, being labeled “talented” may make one a slave to one’s gifts–by instilling expectations that lead to unhealthy perfectionism and competition. Finally, believing that things should come easily to them may lead to depression and despair as even “the biggest talents” discover their limitations.
Furthermore, “giftedness” often masks “disabilities” as “disabilities” often mask “giftedness”.
As you can see, labeling people as “talented” (or not) has profound implications for everyone.
Performance is easy to see, but seeing potential takes love and commitment. Perhaps that is why “talent” seems so rare. The reality is that most talents, however big or small, are latent– waiting to be discovered and nurtured given the opportunity and right kind of support.
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Experts & Novices
A quick look at expertise–the attitudes and habits that are guaranteed to transform you from a mere novice into an expert for life!
While there are a few notable exceptions, experts in a given field are not typically more “gifted” than non-experts. In most cases–contrary to popular belief–natural endowment is not the primary contributor and cause of expertise in any field.
Let’s take a closer look at what separate experts from novices…
Novices…
… tend to obey rigid rules, not general principles.
… tend to memorizes formulas without understanding them.
… tend to “learn” things using brute-force memorization rather than.
… tend to see complexity where there is none, because they process information as unrelated details rather than meaningful patterns.
… tend to performs complex motor tasks one-step-at-a-time using the conscious mind.
Experts…
… employ flexible principles, not rigid rules.
… understand concepts rather than just memorize things.
… learn by seeking and assimilating meaningful patterns.
… see simplicity in apparent complexity because they integrate information into meaningful wholes.
… perform complex motor tasks all-at-once using the subconscious mind.
Experts & Novices Compared
On the Development of Expertise
Consider well the following:
- Nurture (through opportunity, extensive study, disciplined practice, and coaching) is extremely important in the development of expertise.
- Experts do not typically possess extra-ordinary brains that are capable of remembering and calculating far beyond the capacity of “normal” brains.
- Expertise is domain-specific. It is not correlated with general intelligence. In other words, being expert in chess does not make one expert in music.
- Expertise is largely about the mastery of meaningful patterns. Research has shown that chess masters are no better than chess novices at understanding and remembering random arrangements of chess pieces. Chess masters have a deep understanding when the chessboard is arranged in meaningful patterns based on the themes and strategies of chess.
- Expertise is the product of experience–specifically the kind of experience that comes with disciplined work in pursuit of a meaningful goal.
Takeaways
- Expertise cannot be explained by innate talent alone.
- Expertise is the inevitable fruit of experience.
- Expertise is about internalize useful patterns.
- Expertise is the inevitable reward for studying and practicing the right things the right way.
- Expertise is born of humility, curiosity, honesty, and discipline.
- Expertise is not a destination, but a never-ending journey.
In summary, all experts, whatever their natural endowment, have one trait in common: LOVE for what they are doing. Such passion fuels the discipline required to study and persevere when things get tough… in other words, after all the non-experts have given up.
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Celebrating the Right Things
A celebration of the right things–not the result, but the cause of exceptional performance!
Consider Michael Jordan, for example.
It’s easy to look at young Michael and say, “I bet he can dunk a basketball.”
… but there is so much more to the story.
While MJ was lavished with wealth and fame for winning championships and for the superhuman grace with which he flew through the air, I contend that he should really be admired for his uncommon discipline and work ethic… for the countless hours he spent off the court… logging miles, lifting weights, studying his opponents, restructuring his mind to deal with adversity, practicing his free throws, crossover dribbling, bank shots, head fakes, spin moves, passing, fade away jumper, and so many other skills… so much so that he could perform them all while dead-tired and under pressure.
I suggest that the monument to Michael Jordan got it all wrong. It should not be a larger-than-life god timelessly suspended above the rim. It should be a down-to-earth likeness showing his grimacing face, burning muscles, and pouring sweat in a dingy gym when nobody was looking.
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Who’s the Best Piano Player in the World?
An invitation to consider and reconsider the measures by which we declare anyone the “the best” at what they do…
Best Piano player Slideshow…
Best Piano player Transcript…
Who’s the Best Piano Player in the World?
- The one who play the most technically demanding music?
- The most accurate sight reader?
- The fastest memorizer?
- The best improvisor?
- The one who makes the fewest mistakes?
- The one with the most perfect pitch?
- The one who studies the most?
- The one who studies the least?
- The one who plays the most “serious” music?
- The one who wins the most competitions?
- The most famous?
- The one with the most concert dates?
- The one who wins the most awards?
- The one who makes the most money?
So, who’s the best piano player in the world?
What a silly question!!!
The only person you need to worry about is YOU…
Are YOU playing for the right reasons?
Does your music bring joy to you and to others?
Is your music an honest expression of your most deeply held values?
The End.
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A Lesson for Us All
An inspiring example and celebration of the human spirit…
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A Meditation on Gratitude
I can’t think of a healthier way to continue our musical journey than with a sincere meditation on gratitude…
Meditation on Gratitude Audio…
Meditation on Gratitude Transcript…
- Go to the piano… and sit as you normally would.
- Close your eyes… and take three deep breathes… all the way into your belly… slowly in through your nose… and slowly out through your pursed lips.
- With your eyes still closed… reach out with your hands and touch the keys… and realize what a privilege it is to have access to the remarkable instrument in front of you.
- With your eyes still closed… think about the music you love to play… and realize what a privilege it is to have access to such a rich inheritance.
- With your eyes still closed… realize what a privilege it is to have the time and freedom to make music part of your life.
- With your eyes still closed… realize what a privilege it is to have two working arms… and two working hands… and ten working fingers.
- Realize what a privilege it is to have… two good ears to hear… and two good eyes to see.
- With your eyes still closed, realize what a privilege it is to have the opportunity to share your love of music with others!
- Finally, drop your shoulders and breathe deeply… feel your whole body relax… and allow an easy smile to come to your face.
- Now we are ready to begin our work.
And so, let’s aspire to make this a routine practice every time we sit down to play… until it becomes so automatic that it permeates who we are as human beings.
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