Is it Time To Get Your Musical Vision Checked?

By Chris Punis

Expand your vision or keep your day job. Jazz leaders and pioneers have vision. They think about where they are going and what they want to accomplish. They have BIG plans for their music. They have "long-term perspective." They think in terms of years: 1 year, 5 years, even 10 years or more. If you want to become a monster jazz musician, you already have vision. Now, take it further. Think BIG. Dream. There are no limits to what you can accomplish. How far will you take your music? Start thinking about that now, no matter what your current level. Chops are easy to get. Anyone with a plan, a teacher and some dedication can become a competent musician in a relatively short period of time. A few years, really. But if you want to go for the top and become a "monster," you need vision. Decide to become a visionary leader. All great jazz musicians, and all great men and women for that matter, were and are visionary leaders.

The farther backward you can look the farther forward you can see.

- Winston Churchill

How far ahead you go depends on how far back you are willing to look. Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum. Neither does vision. Dig deep into jazz history. Study the early pioneers, the modern ones and everyone in between. The past will act as a springboard to the future. The "fuel" for your creativity will come from the past.

Move in both directions at once. While digging into the tradition and studying the masters, you can begin to carve your own path forward. Musicians of all levels should exercise their creativity. Creativity is not magic. It is a mindset and a habit. Like a muscle, it can and should be exercised regularly. Create, compose and improvise with your instrument everyday. Dream about what is possible and what you would like to create and accomplish musically.

Connect the dots. Jazz pioneers and leaders have vision. By thinking about the future and developing your own vision, you become a leader yourself. Once you have vision for the future, you must connect the future with the present. Your values (lesson 1) help determine your vision. Your mission, goals and plans (lessons 2, 3, 4) connect your vision to today's practice session. If today's practice session is tied into your vision for the future, you will be excited and inspired. You will bring more focus to the practice room. You will move forward faster and faster.

The law of attraction. Ok, I'm gonna get a little 'new age' on you here. The law of attraction states that we attract into our lives the people, ideas, circumstances and resources that are in harmony with our dominant thoughts. You will seem to 'stumble' upon the players, records, teachers, concerts, experiences, books, etc. that you need to realize your vision. So think about your vision. Keep it on your mind. Hang pictures, posters, signs and quotes on your practice room walls and throughout your apartment or house to remind you. Talk about it with your friends and family (but only the positive and supportive ones. More on that in a future lesson).

It's OK (and recommended) to be flexible. As you put energy (hard work, practice, etc.) out into the "universe," opportunity will come to you from all directions. Especially from places you never imagined. Chances are you will end up somewhere completely different from what you initially thought. Embrace that fact, and embrace the opportunities. Adjust your vision and dream new dreams.

Dream big. Turn your dreams into vision. Turn your vision into goals. Turn your goals into plans. Practice and work on your plans everyday. Hold your vision in your sights, and sooner than you think you will be living your musical dreams.

Action Step: Write down ten goals for your life. Let your imagination run wild. What goal would you dare to dream if you knew you could not fail? Later you can edit this list and begin to sharpen your vision. But for now there are no limits.

Chris Punis is an active jazz musician in the northeast. He is founding member of the critically acclaimed group Gypsy Schaeffer and a member of renowned saxophonist Charlie Kohlhase's group The Explorer's Club. Chris is also an accomplished jazz educator. For more information about his teaching methods, visit http://www.learnjazzfaster.com

 

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