"Virtually every writer I know would rather be a musician." -Kurt Vonnegut
"It's just another performance," I attempted to convince myself the night before what would be the most memorable performance of my career. I've performed solo and in ensembles for most of my life, yet every performance is preceded by what is colloquially known as "stage fright."
For me, stage fright looked like a lanky man pacing back and forth for about 15 minutes before a performance, then a last minute bathroom run... no joke. I'll spare you the gory details, but most performers know what I mean. It looks different for everyone... most will admit they have some level of stage fright. For me, this time was different.
It was Friday night of my senior year in college, and all I wanted to do was have a rum and coke.
While that's not abnormal, that night I couldn't partake. Four invisible dowels floated between my fingers effortlessly making "W" shaped cords and inverted "T" shaped arpeggios... first E Major, next B7. The smooth flow of the articulate patterns perfectly re-enacted in my head as I lay in bed striking bar after bar.
Being a musician is no different than being a professional. In fact, I attribute my professional success to many of the practices I developed in training to be a musician.
In music, there are numerous variations and techniques that aren't explicit in written music. Wooden beaded mallets or felt covered? Vibrato? While many pieces contain direction for performance, context is essential too.
That's why musician's start with research. Asking questions about what’s on the sheet, and seeking answers to perform the music in its intended form. In Learning and Development (L&D), we do this in many ways: we consult with stakeholders, review past materials, phone a friend, and yes... Google. As silos get built up, we need to be vigilant in stepping away and looking at the opportunity from outside the problem. Reach across the aisle to find the best solution. However you research, it’s crucial to start here before investing time in practice or development.
A musician then practices the piece or technique every chance they get to either improve on past mistakes, learn a new piece, etc. They perform etudes, which combine practice techniques and skills into a performance piece. These pieces of music can be used to prepare for performing larger compositions, or can be performed themselves. Like etudes, storyboards and courses allow us to experiment and then put into practice new and learned techniques.
This process opens up the opportunity to apply some of those learned elements and techniques in composition: expressing feelings, thought, and creativity through timbre, rhythm and pitch. In the professional world, etudes are not created for us. The responsibility lies with us to insert opportunities for experimentation and learning within so that we can accomplish our design goals while still stretching our own ability. By using the world as constant practice, our ability for personal and professional growth grows without much added effort
Typically, the cycle ends with a performance before the cycle repeats. No different than the delivery of a class: live, virtual, etc.
My senior recital was just that... the end of a cycle and the beginning of the next. I’m grateful for my thirst for knowledge, my need to always improve, my curiosity to create, and my satisfaction in putting on a show.
Being a musician helped set me up for success in the professional world. What prepared you for your success?