Here’s the Key to Becoming a Great Musician

Hint: It isn’t practice.

I can say with confidence that the trumpet is one of the most difficult instruments to learn. I began my music career at ten years of age, and after 10,000 hours of practice, lessons (albeit late in life), and a quarter of a century of performances all over the country, I still struggle to consistently play well. I have gained a moderate level of skill and ability, and for this, I’m thankful.

However, for as much blood, sweat, and tears as I’ve poured into the trumpet, I’m profoundly disappointed in my current level of skill. No matter what I’ve tried, how much I’ve practiced, or who I’ve studied with, I’ve been unable to develop the necessary skills to confidently pursue music — my lifelong passion — full time. If you aren’t an instrumentalist, particularly a brass player, you might not understand the struggle. That’s okay. You only need to know that it is real!

For more than two decades now, I’ve been trying to understand why success has evaded me. I was told by band directors and other musicians that if I just worked hard and kept practicing, I’d become good enough to make a living exclusively from playing music. They were wrong for telling me this, and more importantly, I was wrong for believing them. After much soul searching, I’ve come to realize my primary problem (and I…