In my college jazz ensemble, I spent my entire freshman year getting lost in every chart we played, in every rehearsal and in every concert.
But I didn’t let that stop me.
When I organized a tribute to jazz legend Dave Brubeck at my college, he walked right past me after the concert to tell the bass player how great he was.
But I didn’t let that stop me.
When my band performed for 25,000 people at a New Haven, CT music festival, I played a horrible improvised solo on a song that I had arranged myself.
But I didn’t let that stop me.
As a New York City professional, playing on a local TV show which was viewed by millions each evening, my piano solo on “Great Balls Of Fire” (perhaps the easiest song ever) was so bad I cringed when I saw it on playback.
But I didn’t let that stop me.
Why did I keep going when other might have “thrown in the towel?” Simple – I was having so much fun playing and I had an overwhelming desire to become a great pianist.
Nobody plays well all the time. But you’ll never play well if you don’t keep playing.
Please remember this – always.