I could do that.

I watched this amazing video of this 'aerial artist' last week. I really found this very beautiful and quite amazing. Looking at the folks gathered below her I thought to myself, "I wonder how many people down there filming and capturing this are thinking 'Oh I bet could do that.'" I wonder how many people who have watched this youtube video think, "Yeah, I could do that."

Human beings are remarkable. I believe it is true that we are limitless, which is why I enjoy playing and teaching an instrument that is limitless. The only limits on the French Horn are ones that directly correlate to the limits of the person playing it. This may be an exaggeration but not a very big one.

Our limitlessness (or limitation) begins in our heads. In our heads we can do anything.

We are surprised when that isn't true once we physically sit down to do whatever it is we think we can do. We are disappointed with how hard stuff actually is. I've seen this in some of the kids I've taught. I've seen it in other musicians I've played with. I definitely saw it in myself at times.

We should all realize that it takes a little while for our body to catch up with our brains. Our brain may understand things and know how to do stuff, but sometimes our bodies need "learnin'." That's why it's called muscle memory. The application of the process is needed. We can't live our lives in a world of thought and theories. I've seen many would-be musicians that are like that: believing that they are already great or would have been great if the right opportunity came their way. 

It's a great thing to start at the bottom and work your way up. The working your way up part gives you plenty of room and time to practice the application of your thought and theory. One day you'll notice you're at the top. One day you'll notice you're one of those people that others think they can do what you do. "Easy-peasy," they will say.

As for me, I've got a few things I'm attempting to apply in my life. There's a few stuff I've always believed I could naturally do, and I realized recently that I need to put my money where my mouth is. Time to work up some of this stuff! I might get some of that 'stuff' up here on this site. So we'll see. 

Part 2 to my "How to fix broken private lessons" is coming soon. Just wanted to put this post up. Something we all need to think about... and do something about.

And here is a picture of me putting my money where my mouth is.