A number of years ago, I had a student who was determined to become the world’s greatest drummer. He practiced as much as eight hours a day. He became increasingly tense. To make matters worse, his parents were continually telling him that he would never make it. In response to their negative pressure, he tried harder and harder. He developed headaches and muscle tension, while his improvement as a drummer came to a standstill. This led him to try even harder. He was probably on the verge of a nervous breakdown when he decided to leave home. He got married, and fortunately, his wife was very supportive of his drumming and his career. He got into yoga and learned how to relax. He developed a more realistic view of himself, his abilities, and his drumming. Today he teaches, plays professionally, and enjoys himself. He has a family, a nice home, […]

June 1986 Issue