As musicians we live with, struggle with, and reap the
benefits from our discipline. During these final weeks of winter I find myself
weary of the incessantly cloudy, frigid, blustery, monotonous, weather. And I consequently
find my interest in any form of discipline waning. A closer look at discipline
has provided a lift to propel me through until Spring arrives – as I hope it
will do for you.
The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2016, Oxford
University Press) provides four definitions of discipline. Let’s take a look at
how they relate directly to the study of music.
1. the practice of training people to obey rules and orders and
punishing them if they do not;
the controlled behavior or situation that results
from this training
Most
often musicians begin music study with a teacher at a young age. The teacher
assigns rules or expectations for the amount of practice to be achieved each
week with parental support to back up the expectations at home. It the expectations are not met, punishment ensues: loss of privileges, fear of disappointing or a scolding from the
teacher, a poor performance at lesson or in recital. All of these external
methods do have the capability of changing behavior…for a while. Much research has been conducted to support
this premise.
Although
the results of this form of discipline are not long-lasting, it may be the best
initial means to achieve the end until other forms of discipline can kick in
and take over. I encourage parents to
implement negative consequences to impart on the student the need to follow the
“rules of the roost” until they can see the inherent positive rewards for their
work. And as a trained pedagogue, I provide much guidance and many positive aides
to encourage accomplishing goals, which leads us to the next definition.
2. a method of training your mind or body or of controlling your
behavior; an area of activity where this is necessary
It is necessary for the student to seek a teacher to learn how to train the mind and body to be able to
attain and improve skill. Moreover, it is
imperative to seek out a master-teacher who is proficient at the instrument and
has pedagogical skill to be able to impart their knowledge to another. It is here that internal discipline begins –
a discipline that feeds on itself and creates the inner-drive to want to learn
more. Once we have accomplished something well, the desire to learn more and
work harder is self-perpetuating. This is when the external “because I said so”
is no longer necessary because a love and affinity to the art has developed at
a proficient level.
3. the ability to control your behavior or the way you live, work,
etc. [oftentimes
referred to as self-discipline]
And
here we are in winter; aware of the negative consequences of not practicing
(being grounded, having a bad performance), aware of the positive consequences
of practicing (becoming a better musician, having a great performance), but we
just don’t wanna! This is when we avoid
“I’ll just play through things for today” because this is not practicing to
improve. This is when we are disciplined and look at small, miniscule goals and
improvements to carry us through the dark moments. When we choose one thing in
our practice today that will carry us through to tomorrow. When we know that
cleaning up that pesky four-measure spot or truly nailing down the dynamic plan
today will pay handsomely tomorrow, next week, or at the next
performance! When we do this, we have mastered the ability to control our
behavior in music study – we are disciplined!
4. (formal) an area of knowledge; a subject that people study or are taught,
especially in a university
When we have spent enough time dealing with and tackling definitions
one through three, we can honestly say that we embrace the discipline of music
study.
I invite you to take time during these final weeks of winter
to examine your discipline. What is
motivating you today? What are the
positive elements that you can feed to drive you in your art; that will carry
you through those “I just don’t wanna” stages? If we take the time to examine,
understand, and adjust our perspective as it relates to discipline, growth
opportunities to improve as musicians and in all areas of our life will appear.
Find something you love. Seek out a
teacher to help you improve. Feed on and let your successes propel you to the
next level. Be positively disciplined as you study your discipline.
