The reason we are motivated can vary for each individual’s situation is different. My motivation to practice my chosen instrument may be much different than yours but this individual motivation is what forces us to spend countless hours in a practice room pounding out boring exercises day after day.
My motivation for practicing is the fear that my playing would not be acceptable to my listener. To miss one note seems to diminish my value as a musician in my mind. This stems from my early days while growing up in Moline, Illinois. My parents, although interested, were the old school parents where you were expected to do well at all times and because of this mindset, compliments were few and far between. Even after a perfect performance my mother would always end the conversation with, “But you should have heard “so and so” last week when he played his solo”. Although I disagree with this approach to motivating your child, it did make me work harder to receive their approval; which was never given.
Personal motivation can also be characterized as fear of failure and the desire to please. We all want to be successful and more practicing you do the better chance we have to reach that end. If you miss a note it is always in the back of your mind that more practice would have changed the outcome or more concentration would have solved the problem.
Financial gain can also be a motivating factor for if you don’t produce, you don’t get the gig. This is one reason why many musicians lack confidence in themselves. We are always comparing our performance with that of other musicians. Unfortunately this negates many good feelings about our art form. The “I can play higher and faster than you” attitude permeates the whole trumpet world. This is why we as trumpet players have the image of showoff, self-centered, bragging individuals.
Motivation should be because we just want to be better players! Pride in one’s ability should be much stronger than fear of mistakes, comparison to other players and even how much money can be made. Being proud of your accomplishments should be the reason we practice. Pride and boastfulness are not the same thing. Practicing to improve for its own sake should be the only motivation needed to accomplish your goal.
