Choice Assignment Acedemic Reflection

Academic Reflection

Ethan Honeywell

First of all I just want to say that most of my accomplishment that were the most worthwhile and important were the ones that did not involve academics. I feel like my life has benefitted the most from learning an instrument that has forced me to practice. This slow deliberate practice is like sitting down to study with your phone in the other room or the computer in another room. Going to an arts school there have been many situations where I have had to prepare something for a show or a gig and there is nothing more satisfying than being well prepared for a “test”. Comparing the question of a time where I have persevered through an assignment can be looked at from a musician's standpoint. This happens at least once a week in my practice. I come across a rudiment that I can not play, like triplet paradiddles. I can’t play them yet but by the time you are reading this then I will be able to play them. It is a constant reminder that I can really accomplish anything I put my mind to. The high ropes are linked directly with this assignment. It is really interesting to listen to myself play from a year or two ago and hear how terrible I was. I thought I was probably pretty good at the time but I look back and see that I sucked. Time sucked, sound sucked, I was hitting every part of the drum. So if you want to see that through time and practice your sound gets better, look at some of your previous work, assess it and realise that you have gotten better and you can only get better. Through these experiences of practice, I realise that I will be that much better on the other end of time when I am done and have learned that idea. Music is my passion and I love being able to learn more about my passion and understand that there is no boundary to learning. Knowledge is infinite. This is an important thing for all to do. If one is desperately wanting to find there way and become good at something then they have to hunker down and do it. In my studies I have greatly enjoyed the rudiment part of practice. During the rudiment part of my practice which is usually second, I see the most results out of all of my practice. In my rudiments I encounter the most problems because there are so many things to do in rudiments. But they teach you the most and I am thankful for that. I real changed my work habits in my transition from grade 11 to grade 12 and this has helped me to become more resilient throughout my highschool years. This is a good skill that everyone should have to understand.