Blueprint to Brilliance
When I was ten years old, some local musicians came to my elementary school to demonstrate a variety of musical instruments. They played trumpet and trombone and saxophone and flute — and they played them well. They made playing a band instrument look easy. I said to myself, "I want to do that. I bet I can!"
I brought the sign-up form home to my parents, knowing only that I wanted to play a musical instrument. Which one? It didn't matter. I was inspired by the demonstrator's effortless playing.
Visualize Success
Though I didn't know this at the time, those musicians were my blueprints to brilliance. In his book, More Balls Than Hands, Juggling Your Way to Success by Learning to Love Your Mistakes, Michael Gelb talks about finding a model of excellence when you want to learn a new skill. The learning process begins with the formation of a mental image; visualizing yourself successfully performing the new skill. Once I decided to take up the saxophone, I could begin the learning process by seeing myself playing the saxophone.
As I began taking lessons, I was able to add more detail to my visualization by watching my teacher; seeing how to hold it properly, how to place my mouth on the mouthpiece, how much air was needed to get a sound, and how to have fun while doing it!
Live Performance Leads to Inspiration
My parents took me to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra during my first year of lessons. At the concert, I listened to the professional violinists and clarinetists and percussionists. I watched them in a focused, detailed manner — taking in the specifics of how they sat and breathed and watched the conductor, Eugene Ormandy.
I also watched the overall scene, not focusing on any one thing too closely, sitting back and drinking in the experience. Gelb calls these states focused-analytical mode and open-receptive mode respectively. He suggests it is important to visit both modes when watching your models of excellence.
Constant Catalysts
Today when I am in a concert hall or outside at a street fair and I think, "Gosh, that performer makes it look so easy. I can do that!" — That's inspiration. I take this vision with me into the practice room. A good inspiration can last as a practice motivator for up to a week. 
It's important to allow yourself to be inspired by others on a regular basis. Finding and utilizing the data from these blueprints to brilliance can take you further on your musical journey.
What live performance or taped show will galvanize you into advancing your musical travels this week? Share your learning experiences with me and my readers: email me or comment on my blog.
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