February always takes me back to President’s Day in the 50s. Actually, then there was a day for both Washington and Lincoln. And this reminds me of living on a farm and going to a small school in West Elkton, Ohio. The year before we moved back to the city, Middletown, I was in the 5th grade. Our assignment during this particular February was to memorize the “Preamble to the Constitution” for Washington, and the “Gettysburg Address” for Lincoln. Our reward for doing this was a 5X7 picture of the 2 presidents. As it turned out, I had to move before I was able to give my recitations, but my teacher gave me the two pictures anyway, providing I would give these recitations even if it was to myself. I am still proud that I was able to do this then. And I still have the two pictures.
The connection to music from this, to me, is obvious. Discipline. There isn’t a lot of memorization today, in math or literature, etc. And I think we are poorer for the lack of it. Information is available at the click of a button or a mouse. Our research skills have changed. Music, however, requires that you practice, regularly, on the fundamentals of your craft, daily – if you are trying to succeed. This ties in directly with schoolwork. Discipline.
When we make things too easy for ourselves. Eliminate the repetitive process because it is boring, or tiring, or feels like drudgery, we are only cheating ourselves. We are the only ones that can force ourselves into success. But we must be willing for this to happen. Even listening to music (really listening), requires discipline. So, favor February with forms of finely-tuned discipline.