Rule 1: Practice

PRACTICE
According to Ericsson and Pool, authors of “Peak,” in their book they state that individuals with exceptional abilities exist in abundance in our world, but their development can be attributed to practice, not any sort of mystery (Ericsson and Pool, pg. 7–8). Practice is an essential aspect of building a successful music career. It’s often said that practice makes perfect, and this is especially true in the music industry. Consistent and dedicated practice is key to developing your skills, refining your techniques, and creating a unique and memorable sound.
Ed Sheeran is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist who has become one of the most successful musicians of his generation. Born in 1991 in Halifax, England, Ed started playing the guitar at the age of 11 and began writing songs shortly thereafter. He spent years practicing and developing his skills, and eventually caught the attention of music industry executives. In 2011, Ed released his first album, “+”, which was a commercial success, reaching the top five on charts in the UK and the US. The album featured hit songs such as “The A Team” and “Lego House”, which showcased Ed’s signature style of combining heartfelt lyrics with catchy melodies and intricate guitar playing. Since then, Ed has released several more successful albums, including “x” (2014) and “÷” (2017), which both topped charts around the world and earned him multiple awards and accolades. He has also become known for his collaborations with other artists, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber, among others.
One of the reasons for Ed’s success is his dedication to his craft. He practices regularly and continues to hone his skills as a guitarist and songwriter. He has also developed a strong personal brand, with a distinctive look and sound that sets him apart from others.
While having a natural gift for music is helpful, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to develop that gift into a successful music career. Consistent and focused practice is essential to improve one’s skills, build a repertoire, and develop their own unique style. Additionally, it’s also important to stay up to date with new techniques, technologies, and industry trends to stay competitive in the field.
THE “1000 HOUR RULE”
The “1000 Hour Rule” of practice was first proposed by Malcolm Gladwell in his book “Outliers: The Story of Success”. Gladwell’s theory suggests that it takes roughly 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become an expert in any field, including music. In the music industry, the 1000 Hour Rule is often used as a benchmark for aspiring musicians to gauge their progress and determine the level of dedication required to reach their goals. The idea is that if a musician practices for an average of 2 hours per day, 5 days a week, it would take roughly 10 years to reach the 10,000 hours benchmark. Many successful musicians have put this principle into practice, and their dedication to their craft is evident in their music. For example, Eric Clapton, considered one of the greatest guitar players of all time, has stated that he spent countless hours practicing his craft and perfecting his technique. Similarly, classical pianist Lang Lang is known for his rigorous practice schedule, which often involves several hours of daily practice to maintain his virtuosic abilities.
So how do you cultivate a consistent practice lifestyle?
1. Set goals: Identify what you want to achieve in your musical practice, such as learning a new piece, improving technique, or mastering a specific skill.
2. Make a schedule: Decide on a regular practice time and stick to it, whether it’s every day or just a few days a week. This will help you establish a routine and make it easier to maintain your commitment to your musical development.
3. Start with warm-ups: Begin your practice sessions with a few minutes of warm-ups to prepare your body and mind for the work ahead. This could include physical exercises, playing scales, or even meditation.
4. Focus on the fundamentals: Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, it’s important to regularly revisit the fundamentals, such as scales, arpeggios, and basic finger exercises.
5. Mix up your routine: To prevent boredom and keep your practice sessions fresh, vary your routine and try new techniques, exercises, and pieces.
6. Keep a practice journal: Write down your goals, track your progress, and reflect on your experiences. This can help you stay motivated and identify areas for improvement.
7. Practice with a metronome: Using a metronome can help you improve your sense of time and accuracy in playing. Start with slow tempos and gradually increase the speed.
8. Listen to recordings: Listening to recordings of the pieces you are learning can provide valuable insights into phrasing, interpretation, and performance practices.
9. Seek feedback: Whether from a teacher, mentor, or other musician, regular feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and track your progress.
– Stay motivated: Finally, find ways to stay motivated, such as listening to music, playing with others, or participating in performances. Celebrate your achievements and be kind to yourself when you encounter obstacles.
Let’s say you are a beginner guitarist who wants to develop a practice routine. You can set a goal of learning three chords a week and make a schedule to practice for 30 minutes every day after dinner. You can start with a warm-up of playing the chords slowly and then practice strumming patterns with a metronome. You listen to recordings of songs that use the chords you are learning and seek feedback from a guitar teacher. To stay motivated, you play with friends and participate in local open mic nights.
A real-life example of a successful musician with a strong practice routine is Yo-Yo Ma, the renowned cellist. He practices for several hours every day, focusing on technical exercises, scales, and arpeggios. He also spends time listening to recordings and seeks regular feedback from his teachers. He is known for his dedication and commitment to his craft, and his successful career is a testament to the power of a consistent and well-structured practice routine.
IMPORTANCE OF DISCIPLINE
A music career can be an exciting and fulfilling journey, but it’s also one that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. To be successful in this field, it’s important to have a routine that allows you to make the most of your practice time and to have clear goals that guide you towards your musical aspirations. Having a daily routine helps to establish discipline and ensures that you are making consistent progress towards your musical goals. A routine can help to keep you on track and keep you focused, especially on days when motivation is low. It can also provide structure to your day and help you prioritize your practice time, so that you can make the most of your efforts. A routine can be as simple as setting aside a specific time each day for practice, or it can be more elaborate and include various activities such as warm-up exercises, playing scales, studying sheet music, and working on specific pieces.
In addition to a daily routine, it’s also important to have clear and achievable goals. Goals can give you direction and motivation for your practice and help you focus on what’s important. When setting goals, it’s important to be realistic and specific. For example, instead of simply saying that you want to get better at playing the piano, you might set a goal to learn a new piece of music every week or to improve your technique by a certain percentage. Having specific and measurable goals allows you to track your progress and see the results of your efforts, which can be incredibly motivating. One of the benefits of having a routine and goals is that it can help you make the most of your time. Time management is an important aspect of a music career, and having a routine and goals can help you balance your practice and performance with other responsibilities. For example, if you have a busy schedule and need to balance work and family obligations, having a structured routine can help you make the most of your available time and ensure that you are putting in the effort required to achieve your musical goals.
Another important factor in achieving success in a music career is to be consistent in your efforts. A daily routine and clear goals can help you maintain focus and avoid distractions, so that you can make steady progress towards your musical aspirations. This can also help you avoid burnout, as you are able to manage your workload and avoid putting too much pressure on yourself. Consistency is key, and it’s important to stay focused and disciplined, even when progress is slow or when you encounter setbacks.
Finally, having a daily routine and clear goals can lead to a more fulfilling music career. When you are focused and dedicated to your craft, you are able to immerse yourself in the music and enjoy the process of learning and improving. You are also able to appreciate your achievements and see the results of your hard work, which can be incredibly satisfying. A well-structured routine and goal-oriented approach can also help you feel more confident and in control of your music career, allowing you to pursue your passions and make the most of your musical talents.
In conclusion, having a daily routine and clear goals is an important aspect of a successful music career. By establishing discipline, prioritizing your efforts, and making the most of your time, you can make steady progress towards your musical aspirations and enjoy a more fulfilling and successful career in music. So, if you’re serious about pursuing a music career, it’s time to start setting your routine and goals and get to work!