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Practice

By David Morris

Hello, my name is David Morris. I am forty eight years old with a visual impairment. I attend South Plains College as a student interested in commercial music and audio engineering. John asked me to give my perspective on attending college as an older student.

Learning is worth while it at any age. If you have thoughts about going to, or back to school, I say go for it. Here are some of the challenges I faced here at SPC. With the help of great instructors I turned them into accomplishments.

As an older student with a visual impairment, my brain didn't operate like it once did. I have to work hard at remembering everything I read. My visual impairment makes it hard to read, so making good grades is an accomplishment. It is a must that I get good grades. This makes me feel that I am accomplishing something when my other studies, such as bass and guitar, aren't going so well. In other words I look at my grades and it keeps me from giving up, because I know I can do it.

As a musician, I quickly learned that 75% of everything I learned (on my own) wasn't the best way to do things, (bad habits). Now, as we all know, bad habits are not easy to break. I say to you, learn the correct way for your instrument, and then start breaking bad habits as soon as possible. The longer you use them, the harder they are to break. Next, you will hear the most dreaded word ever written, PRACTICE. This is something that is hard for almost everyone to do. This was very hard for me to get a grip on (and still is). I would start to practice, and it wasn't sounding right or my fingers wouldn't do what they were supposed to (and still don't). I felt that I should know more, or be better than I was (news flash, I'm here to learn. Don't be so hard on yourself). I would get discouraged and put down my instrument. As I walked the halls I noticed students sitting on the floor playing their instruments. That meant they were practicing to be at their best. As I passed instructors offices, if they weren't with students, they were practicing. Which, means just because you are good you can't quit practicing. This showed me that if I want to get better then I have to practice daily. I still have trouble with the exercises that I'm supposed to do, but I practice ten times harder now, than I did. I still get told I don't practice enough. I'm told this because my instructors want me to be the best I can be, and they know I can be a great player, although; I can't see it right now, I will not give up and quit trying.

My instrument is the bass. I became a bass player, because the group that I played with elected me to take the place of our bass player, who moved to another town. I learned two things right away. First, I loved the bass, and second I needed help to be a good player. I started college to get that training. I felt I learned a lot quick, and then I hit the wall. It felt like I couldn't get a grip on anything I was asked to do. I saw other students performing way better than I could. I got discouraged and couldn't figure why I even tried. I kept at it, and with a good instructor who sensed my discouragement, worked even harder to help me get over that wall. I still hit walls, but they don't seem to be as large as the first one. I still feel inadequate, as a bass player, but I am ten times better than I was. There will always be obstacles to get over, but as long as I try, I will get better.

You've heard the bad stuff, now for the good stuff. I played with the up and coming Jed Hughes (just released his first album) my first semester, and it was an awesome experience. I played with Mat Jenkins (due to release his first album soon) for two semesters. I have met friends I would never have met, and gained a wealth of knowledge that will pay off. I played with a number of students that were so talented it was unbelievable. I learned that instructors want you to succeed and will help you as long as you keep working hard. I also learned that even if you start out on one major it is alright to change your mind or go in a different direction.

To those who are thinking about going to college. No matter your age, no matter your major, you will have hard times and get discouraged. Remember that you can get through them, and it is worth the time. When you get discouraged, focus on the good things. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and above all, be able to admit that you don't know or understand something. You may have to work harder, longer, constantly, but it is worth it to get to the next higher plain. You won't regret it.

The Bass is a wonderful instrument and I would encourage anyone interested in it to give it a try. Who knows, it may take you on a wild ride like it has me. I hope this helps some reader, with a troubled mind, find a direction that is right for them. For me, college was the way to go. I would stay forever, but I must move on with my dreams. I will continue to practice, and always try to get better. A great big thank you goes out to John Reid, and all my instructors at South Plains College who believed in me and wouldn't let me give up.