You may be tired of hearing the phrase "practice makes perfect" since it's definitely been worn out. But on top of being overused, it technically isn't true.
It's often told to me or someone around us struggling to learn something new, like a new song, so in most cases, it is generally decent advice to give. But that doesn't mean the advice is accurate.
The act of practicing something will never make you perfect at it for three main reasons that I want to share with you. Don't worry; I'm not trying to stop you from practicing, and it's an amazing thing to do. Just know that it isn't that simple.
In the world of singing, there are many ways that we can sound great, but actually, be doing more harm than good to our bodies.
We naturally get a lot of bodily movements right when we feel the music, but we also can get a ton of things wrong by nature, including bad posture, bad breathing, and movements that cause muscle tension.
If I'm practicing a song without the guidance of a professional, I may be sounding great but practicing the wrong way and not even notice it.
Even worse, let's say I'm dedicated and super consistent about practicing this song wrong. I do it wrong for days. Weeks. Months! This practice had great intentions, but it did not make my performance perfect at all.
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I personally learned to sing with the help of my family and church friends. A lot of us have amazing vocals, but we didn't get official voice lessons until we were in middle or high school.
The one thing I practiced over and over that was just plain wrong was my breath support. I was all shoulders and sucking in my stomach to take a breath instead of breathing deeply and expanding the air in my lower body to take a breath.
And I still have to remind myself over 15 years later how to breathe right and unlearn my old bad habits.
Instead of thinking that practicing something, in particular, will make you perfect, let's take a step back and make things more general so that you won't get caught up in a bad practicing loop, as I did.
Practicing is a great thing that you should never stop doing as an artist or creator.
Even though I'm speaking to my musician buddies, these tips can be applied to many different careers, but I want to put you in the headspace of a business owner.
Business owners are always looking for ways to better themselves and their products or services.
In a large company, a team of researchers and developers (R&D) gets the exciting job of testing out new ideas, learning, and implementing those into business practices.
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I like to think of practicing as a way to do your own research and development for yourself as a musician. Most people who are dedicated will practice over and over, which is great. Keep that up. But know that it can bring you permanent consistency, not necessarily perfection.
Don't skip the research if you want to make sure that you are also getting better at your craft while you practice and memorize good habits.
Don't skip the learning side of things. Develop your talent with music lessons. Study the greats on Youtube and Tik-Tok. Get feedback from people around you.
Don't get stuck on developing your talent in your own bubble. The most successful people were able to take big leaps in their careers because they were hungry for new knowledge. New networking connections. New ways to practice.
Practicing with the mindset of perfection can sometimes discourage critical evaluation.
When you are solely focused on achieving a flawless outcome, you may overlook opportunities for improvement or fail to identify areas that need work.
By acknowledging that practice makes permanent, you are more likely to approach your practice sessions with a growth mindset, seeking constant improvement and refinement.
Effective practice requires more than just mindless repetition. Deliberate practice involves focused and mindful effort with clear goals, feedback, and intentional adjustments.
Simply going through the motions without actively engaging your mind and making conscious improvements will not lead to much good.
Perfection in the music world is impossible to get unless you are a robot or you're overprocessing your voice to the point of sounding like one.
Flaws are actually beautiful, especially when you're a singer. Flaws can help bring out the emotion in a song sometimes.
Striving for perfection can drive you nuts to the point where you can't even enjoy your craft any longer because of all the pressure that is being put on you.
If you are putting enough effort into practicing consistency, learning consistently, and positively reaching people, you do not need to strive for perfection.
You will be all the better and more appreciated for the flaws that make you human and ultimately more relatable to your potential fans.
Perfection is an ideal that is often unattainable, as it suggests flawless execution. Instead of striving for perfection, it is more realistic and beneficial to focus on consistency.
Regular practice helps you develop muscle memory, improve coordination, and build confidence in your abilities. By consistently practicing a skill, you can achieve a high level of proficiency and perform consistently well, even if perfection is elusive.
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In summary, while practice is essential for skill development and improvement, the idea that practice makes perfect can be misleading.
Instead, recognizing that practice makes permanent encourages a more mindful and deliberate approach to practice, allowing for continuous growth and improvement over time.
As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
