What's the most important personality trait of a successful brass player?
My vote: PATIENCE
I have kids. I've watched them grow and have to learn little things that adults take for granted like....tying shoes.
My college students sometimes get frustrated when trying to build up a new technique (or polish an old one).
I like this parallel:
Your lips are like little children learning to tie their shoes.
You must be patient with them just as you would be with kids.
You wouldn't yell,
"Come on!
What is wrong with you?
Why can't you just figure this out?"
And yet, how often do we internally voice similar frustrations with our body's slowness to master skills.
James Thompson said it well, "It take as long as it takes."
