When I was six years old, my mom thought it would be a great idea for my older sister and I to learn how to play the accordion, because you know, nothing says “chick magnet” like a guy who plays the accordion. I as an average sized kid, so that huge hunk of wood, metal and Ivory was, shall we say, a little cumbersome. It was like trying to hug a furnace. Oh, and for added fun, there was absolutely no way to see the keys. I was so out-sized by that thing, I probably looked like a really short person trying to see over the dashboard of a truck. Later in life I realized that Mom never really intended for me to play an instrument. She just wanted to let me know at an early age that at any moment she could make life miserable for me. It worked and I turned out to be a very well-behaved child.
If you have ever attempted to learn how to play a musical instrument, you probably understand the meaning of frustration. After time and counseling, I got over the trauma of my early childhood musical experience and started playing the guitar. Unfortunately patience has never been one of my strong suits, so I bought a few song books with chord diagrams and tried to just “pick it up.” It didn’t go well. I was a huge fan of Don McLean (American Pie), James Taylor and other folk singers. (I know I’m old, get off me). The chords were easy enough but I never really learned important things like rhythm, timing, and pace. I knew how the music was supposed to sound and I could play the chords (kind of) but what came out of my guitar was nothing like the music coming out of my record player. (Yeah, record player…again, get off me).
Nobody just picks up an instrument and starts playing from day one. You need to take the time to learn things like scales, strumming patterns, etc. You have to use tools like a metronome and it really helps if you find a great teacher to provide instruction and to push you when you need it. Martial arts training is very similar.
It never ceases to amaze me how so many people who come to the dojo believe they can hop in and just start “playing” without going through the boring, tedious stuff. Folks are genuinely astounded by how difficult it is to learn basic punching and kicking in arts like karate, or how hard it is to take another’s balance (kazushi) in judo or aikido. Traditional martial arts (budo) are layered in details that one uncovers throughout their life. Ask any kung fu practitioner how many times he or she has learned something new about a technique they have practiced for decades. Unfortunately, this concept of slow, gradual progress is very difficult for westerners to grasp. We are used to getting things quickly and effortlessly. We want to get stuff “done” and move on to the next thing. I’ve had many potentially good students leave the dojo because they simply didn’t have patience to practice the scales before they attempted the music.
I am probably biased, but I believe one of the reasons that mixed martial arts (MMA) is so popular these days is because of its simplicity. The average person with no training background can go to an MMA gym, learn some basic striking, grappling and throwing techniques and start applying those skills in a very short amount of time. You don’t have to wear a uniform or practice unfamiliar customs and courtesies. There is no foreign language to learn, no cultural cues you need to be aware of. No real life philosophy other than getting stronger, faster and being a winer. Fast-paced martial arts training for a fast-paced society.
I am in no way putting MMA down. I’ve met some spectacular fighters with big hearts and well-controlled egos. I am only trying to explain the difference between learning these arts quickly as opposed to spreading that knowledge out over a lifetime. The concept of budo (the path to enlightenment through warrior training) is designed to force the average person to take their time and learn things gradually. Fighting skills develop naturally through a rigorous process of daily training even if that training is 30 minutes or less. The most important thing here is the process itself, not necessarily the physical outcome. Moving toward your desired goals at a slow, steady pace produces and individual who is generally kind, patient, disciplined and sincere. A true student of budo works through physical challenges methodically and puts in the reps even when it seems like they will never quite reach the goal. Some would argue that you are furthest from your goal when you feel like you’ve “made it.” Budo training is about creating a better society, one person at a time.
As for me, I did eventually take the time to go back and try to learn guitar the right way - through scales and small sets. I still don’t play very well, but I do enjoy the challenge and the peace it brings me. It helps if I play while drinking wine…I sound a lot better that way.
Anyway, take your time and do the reps. Don’t worry about what you look like or how good or bad you are. That’s not the point. Practice the simple things and try to master those first; they are the building blocks to more difficult tasks and movements. Be patient. The best music comes from a steady pace.
Dave Magliano
Jissenkan Budo
Dojo Cho
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