"One ought never to forget that by perfecting one piece more is gained and learned than by beginning or half-finishing a dozen."
Johannes Brahms in 1876
Welcome to the first edition of Two Cents Tuesdays, where I will share some of my favorite musical advice and quotations from musical masters of the past and present. I've decided to begin the series with a favorite quote of mine from the great composer Johannes Brahms. To give the quote proper context, he was speaking of composition when he said this, but I think he would agree that this advice applies to learning to play a piece as well. I first read this quote in a newspaper (remember those!) while I was in college. It moved me so much that I cut it out and taped it to the front of my practice binder. Every time I sat down to practice, I wanted to remind myself to stick with a concept until I really had it mastered instead of jumping from one thing to the next....what sage advice!
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