Practice is the hallway that leads to the ballroom where we perform our music for others.
We need to spend just enough time in the hallway before stepping into the ballroom, but no more. If we don’t spend enough time in the hallway we risk the temporary embarrassment of stepping into the ballroom unprepared but that is all. If we spend too much time in the hallway we risk becoming immobilized by irrational beliefs about our own perfection or the fear of not being good enough.

Music demands that we balance creativity with discipline. We can’t go from zero talent to having it in the refined form without going through this process of practicing and performing.
There comes a time to put away the instructional materials and fly by the seat of your pants. Don’t get stuck in the hallway! If you’ve never stepped out of the hallway I encourage you to look for opportunities to perform your music in front of an audience and/or jam with other musicians.

What do you think? Please share your comments about practice vs performing.