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Playing An Instrument Takes Courage and Determination

What to know about playing an instrument.

By Agnes LaurensPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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Playing An Instrument Takes Courage and Determination
Photo by Gabriel Gurrola on Unsplash

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word courage means: the ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult situation.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word determination means: the ability to continue trying to do something, although it is very difficult.

Well, I have said it before, playing an instrument is tough sometimes, but also very challenging. Also, I like it very much, even love it very much. Since the age of seven, I play the violin, one year before that, I have played the cello for one year, I sang in a choir, and my whole life I have played in several orchestras.

I never have any regrets about playing an instrument. Even it took me years to play that well, on the level I am playing now and even considering going to a conservatory now. That thought took courage to take and even consider it.

It takes so much effort to learn and play the violin, or any other instrument. You need to be consistent, you need to be very patient (something I still need to learn), and don't give up if something doesn’t work out you had imagined. Try another time and another time, and another time, until you get what you had in mind.

What happens when things go wrong? Do you give up? Or do you practice until you get what you had in mind? Do you love the instrument you are playing, and what does it take you to master the piece and your instrument?

To me, it is important to understand the music, the other instrumental parts as well as other instrumentalists when I play together. It is important because you know what the piece is like and what the music is all about, plus you get to know how other musicians play, such as their style of playing their instrument.

It takes courage because you need to be patient with whether things work out what you have in mind by playing the piece how the composer wanted it to be played, and what you need to improve that piece on your instrument. When you play phrases, melodies, and other elements that are part of playing an instrument and/or pieces, you need to know what you are doing on your instrument, and that takes courage to even begin doing that and do it. You will surprise yourself when doing it.

It takes courage because you have to start over often, as things aren’t going the way you had imagined until it all comes together, and you’re confident enough to show others what you have learned. It could be that you have to get over the fear to fail.

It takes courage because you have to stand alone sometimes in your journey in being a(n) (amateur) musician to show why you took that instrument of yours. Showing your musical ability.

It takes determination because you want to achieve something with that particular piece and all the things that belong to that piece to make it sounds beautiful as the composer meant it to be. Think about knowing the time the piece has been written, the composer, and the time the composer lived in. That is very important to know how to play that piece. Besides all that, it is important to know how to play and master the bow in combination with how that works for you, and your body, that is a golden combination. It is for everyone different, as you might be smaller than your neighbour violinist who is taller than you and needs another attitude.

It takes determination because you have to be patient to start over as much as possible when things go wrong until you see the light of what to do better. You need to listen to yourself carefully, as well as to your ensemble followers. Therefore, you need to practice a lot on your instrument, but also you need to know about your instrument, the music, the composers you are playing.

Do you know what I love to do? I love to educate you about classical music! It is what I love to do.

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About the Creator

Agnes Laurens

Agnes Laurens is a writer. She writes for the local newspaper. Agnes lives with her daughters. Writing is, like playing the violin, her passion. She writes about anything that crosses her mind. Follow her on Medium.

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