When I was in 7th grade, I joined the beginner’s band at my school. In those days, 7th grade was considered Junior High, and joining the band was an exciting opportunity. Little did I know that it would introduce me to an instrument that would challenge my musical tastes: the recorder.
The recorder is, in my humble opinion, one of the worst-sounding instruments out there. I’ve listened to recordings by professionals, hoping to be swayed by their expertise, but alas, something about the recorder just doesn’t resonate with me. Please, don’t get me wrong; I don’t mean to be judgmental or mean-spirited. It’s simply a matter of personal preference – and I prefer almost any other sound.
Our journey in the beginner’s band began with learning how to read sheet music, and the recorder was our starting point. I have to give credit to our music teacher, who must have possessed the patience of a saint to endure the cacophony of beginner recorder players. Those first few months were a challenging introduction to the world of music, but I assume if you can learn the recorder, you’d be willing to learn any other instrument!
“This one time… at band camp…”
In our music classroom, a piece of artwork on the wall caught my eye. It was created by one of the teacher’s former students, and it simply said, “Perfect practice makes perfect.” This phrase has stayed with me throughout my life, and I’ve often contemplated its meaning.
In general, I believe that practice is the path to improvement in any endeavor. It’s through practice that we refine our skills and become proficient in our chosen pursuits. The idea that, with enough practice, one could achieve perfection seems plausible. However, as I’ve reflected on my own experiences, I’ve come to question whether I’m truly striving for perfection.
With all the practice I’ve put into various aspects of my life, I don’t consider myself perfect in any one thing. I’m constantly learning, evolving, and growing. I’ve come to embrace the idea that perfection might be an unattainable goal, and that’s perfectly okay.
Furthermore, even if I were to practice the recorder with unwavering perfection, I have my doubts that I’d ever find the instrument itself perfect. Its unique sound, while historically significant, doesn’t align with my personal taste.
So, perhaps the term should be “practice makes great.” Through practice, we can achieve greatness in our pursuits, continually improving and honing our skills. Perfection may be an elusive ideal, but the journey of practice is where we find our true growth and mastery.
In the end, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about striving to be the best version of ourselves, one practice session at a time.
See you after practice,
-Ryan
