It Takes Practice

It takes practice to be proficient at anything. Playing the pipes well requires many hours, all with an effort to have accomplished something in every session.

A concert pianist told about a member of his audience who came to him after his recital, saying, “I wish I could play like that!” The artist’s response was, “No, I’m sure you really don’t wish that, for if you did, you would be able to play as well as I.” The person was embarrassed, for he realized that by having given into so many distractions in his life, he had not allowed himself time to practice.

Another musician had a banner hanging on his wall near the piano which read, “Some say, “I’d love to be able to play well, but as for me, I just get up early and practice.” Obviously, that was a person motivated to practice regularly. In fact he was passionate, having his objective to be an excellent pianist, motivated to persevere through difficult passages, repeating the drill until what had been difficult at first, eventually became easy and enjoyable.

The principle of practice can be applied to artistry just as well. For 10 years, Leonardo da Vinci practiced drawing various parts of the anatomy in different positions. When he was satisfied, he began to paint pictures like photographs. Whether one is an artist, an athlete, musician, or surgeon, greatness will come only with diligent study and practice.

Practice is like a rehearsal. A few simple songs to begin loosens the fingers of the piper or the vocal chords of a singer, then the way to go is to play a few familiar pieces, review the last practice to include some exercises, and play a couple of new selections with concentration. Afterwards, one will make a definite plan for review in the next practice. This is the method for keeping one’s practice time organized and efficient. The main endeavor is to set a definite time aside for practice. In a university Psychology class, we were taught that the plan for study is to have a time, place and attitude. It is the pathway to success.

With Aspiring Hymns, a music book for The Church Piper, on which I’ve been working, my efforts have been to encourage pipers to develop their techniques of playing, along with characteristics of Christ that will be a tribute to our Lord. One way to do this is to attend church regularly, listen to the messages delivered by the minister and understand their intent, to sing with the congregation and learn the words to those songs. Then diligent practice on the pipes will prepare them for the opportunity when it arises, to lead the congregation in praise with call to worship on the pipes. The invitation should be accepted graciously, as a deep honor. When a well-practiced piper begins to know God better, and benefits from the lessons taught at church on Sunday, he or she will be ready to lead the congregation in worship when invited.