Steve Raybine:
Blog #10:
Raybineisms': Part One
I suppose that many educators (music and others) have their favorite "pet phrases" they use to convey their thoughts on a variety of subjects. Alas, I am no different as you will find in the following list that I've compiled over the years:
1.) "Win with grace and lose with dignity."
Don't brag when success comes your way and when you lose (it is inevitable, at least to some degree, unfortunately), do so with dignity--don't hold your head down in disgrace.
2.) "If you get fed, it's a good gig."
This saying dates back to my days as a young, semi-starving jazz artist working in Los Angeles. When you were paid and were also given a great meal, I considered it a good gig.
3.) "Fundamentals are mentally fun."
Approaching the fundamentals of music with a positive attitude can make them mentally fun to learn and to apply when practicing and performing.
4.) "When in doubt, write it out."
If you have difficulty figuring out a musical passage by ear, try writing it out in order to better understand it.
5.) "If you can say it, you can play it."
If you are able to articulate the musical passage, you should be able to play it. This process was introduced and reinforced to me while I studied at the Berklee College of Music while I was in high school.
6.) "Make it ping, ring and sing."
This statement is in reference to how I instruct my drumset students to approach making the ride cymbal sound while playing.
7.) "That's vibrafunky."
This is a little phrase I use to indicate if the music is funky. Of course, it partially includes the first two syllables of my instrument--the vibraphone, which is coupled with funky.
8.) "VisualEYES the music."
I use this statement to highlight the element of using your visual acuity with the other ensemble members when trying to take the music to a more profound level.
9.) "Mark what you like, and like what you mark."
I always have students mark their favorite musical passages that they will commit to memory. Prior to marking the passages, I sometimes preface it with the aforementioned statement.
10.) "You are in the sound business."
In the music field, people judge you by the quality of the 'sounds' that you create. Therefore, be mindful of the impact your sounds have on your audience(s) and your fellow musicians.
11.) "Attitude is everything."
If you want to succeed in the music business, make sure that you develop a positive, helpful and friendly attitude. Remember: people like to work with people that they like and that they feel comfortable being around. So, don't let a negative and irritable attitude turn people away from you--be a positive-thinking person and you'll do O.K.
12.) "Don't be a what-if person."
Don't live your life wondering what could have happened to you if only you had applied yourself. I highly recommend applying yourself in whatever field you choose for your career, so that you don't have to confront the 'what-if' scenario later in life.
13.) "Work it, don't shirk it."
When there is work to be done on the music, don't procrastinate--get to it.
14.) "Be a pro, put on a show."
Music professionals put on a great show for their audiences, so make sure that you 'deliver the musical goods' and entertain them.
15.) "When there are doubts, cast them out."
If you want to become successful in the music field or any profession for that matter, you must truly believe in your talents and your abilities. If you ever do doubt yourself, cast those doubts out of your mind, because they will undermine your progress and eventual success.
16.) "The walls have ears."
Be careful what you say and to whom you say it as conversations have a curious way of getting back to people.
17.) "Imitation leads to innovation."
Musical innovations are often the result of understanding and applying historically-significant musical concepts, styles and theoretical principles within a contemporary framework. Therefore, let your knowledge of the musical past influence and inspire your current musical ideas.
18.) "The three D's: discipline, determination and dedication will determine your fate."
If you embody these three personal characteristics in whatever you do, you will have some measure of success.
19.) "Life is a balancing act."
Balancing an active professional career with a fulfilling personal life will require that you 'juggle' many activities simultaneously, so be an effective multi-tasker.
20.) "Don't be a chump, be a champ."
If you try your very best to excel in all aspects of your life, you will undoubtedly experience much success and happiness.
21.) "I'm all alone by the vibraphone."
This is just a phrase I use to describe that I'm doing a lot of practicing on my instrument.
22.) "If you're tardy, you'll miss the party."
Don't be late for a musical engagement, otherwise you'll miss the show and that's unacceptable.
23.) "If you want to succeed, you've got to believe (in yourself and your abilities)."
When all things are said and done, success comes down to how much you believe in your talents and your potential.
24.) "Being honest is its own reward."
As long as you're an honest person, people will tend to appreciate your personal integrity, which should never be compromised. Achieving any measure of success without being an honest and forthright person is an empty victory.
25.) "Money is honey."
This brief phrase has inspired many of my students to appreciate the value of earning money with their musical talent.
Copyright 2007 Steve Raybine
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