--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In order to even begin to learn how to…" description: "\"In order to even begin to learn how to play his instrument, it takes the guitarist weeks to build calluses on his fingertips; it takes the saxophonist ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/noah-lukeman-54636_artist_in-order-to-even-begin-to-learn-how-to-p_3230992.png" --- # In order to even begin to learn how to play his… ![“In order to even begin to learn how to play his instrument, it takes the guitarist weeks to build calluses on his fingertips; it takes the saxophonist months to strengthen his lip so that he might play his instrument for only a five-minute stretch; it can take the pianist years to develop dual…” quote by Noah Lukeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/noah-lukeman-54636_artist_in-order-to-even-begin-to-learn-how-to-p_3230992.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/noah-lukeman-54636_artist_in-order-to-even-begin-to-learn-how-to-p_3230992.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/noah-lukeman-54636_artist_in-order-to-even-begin-to-learn-how-to-p_3230992.png) > “In order to even begin to learn how to play his instrument, it takes the guitarist weeks to build calluses on his fingertips; it takes the saxophonist months to strengthen his lip so that he might play his instrument for only a five-minute stretch; it can take the pianist years to develop dual hand and multiple finger coordination. Why do writers assume they can just “write” with no training whatsoever-and then expect, on their first attempt, to be published internationally? What makes them think they're so much inherently greater, need so much less training than any other artists?” [Noah Lukeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-lukeman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mastery of any skill requires time, physical conditioning, and deliberate practice; writers are no exception and must train before expecting success. **In simple terms:** Skill mastery needs practice and training. Key Takeaway Invest time in disciplined practice before expecting results. Themes skill development practice humility Mood reflective critical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - learning an instrument - writing a novel - learning a language - sports training Key Concepts deliberate practice expertise acquisition training myth Questions to Reflect On - What steps will you take to train before you write? - How does physical training compare to creative training? A Different Perspective Assuming innate talent can bypass effort leads to frustration and failure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Calluses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calluses/) [Guitarist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guitarist/) [Lips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lips/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Pianist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pianist/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes I listen to songs by very smart writers who assume that the world is a civil place with certain formalities that people follow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/sometimes-i-listen-to-songs-by-very-smart-writers-who-assume-that-the/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [A lot of my writing is not terribly civilized. Sometimes I listen to songs by very smart writers who assume that the world is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/a-lot-of-my-writing-is-not-terribly-civilized-sometimes-i-listen-to/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [A lot of new writers assume you have to know the where the story is going and that it flows out as molten gold.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/a-lot-of-new-writers-assume-you-have-to-know-the-where-the-story-is/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [To me, the contemporary novel suffers from a lack of sense of place - or spirit of place, if you will. It's not important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-osborne/to-me-the-contemporary-novel-suffers-from-a-lack-of-sense-of-place-or/) [Lawrence Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-osborne/) > [I watched a small man with thick calluses on both hands work 15 and 16 hours a day. I saw him once literally bleed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-cuomo/i-watched-a-small-man-with-thick-calluses-on-both-hands-work-15-and/) [Mario Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-cuomo/) > [“What are these?" Maxon asked, brushing across the tips of my fingers as we walked. "Calluses. They're from pressing down on violin strings four…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiera-cass/what-are-these-maxon-asked-brushing-across-the-tips-of-my-fingers-as/) [Kiera Cass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiera-cass/) > [When I came off the boat I was very proud of the thick calluses which had developed on my feet. But now, I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-stephenson/when-i-came-off-the-boat-i-was-very-proud-of-the-thick-calluses-which/) [Pamela Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-stephenson/) > [One good thing that comes from living the nomadic life demanded by an expedition is that one sheds the fake skin donned from living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/one-good-thing-that-comes-from-living-the-nomadic-life-demanded-by-an/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [Keep working. Keep trying. Keep believing. You still might not make it, but at least you gave it your best shot. If you don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-eddings/keep-working-keep-trying-keep-believing-you-still-might-not-make-it/) [David Eddings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-eddings/) > [Have you ever been anyone's?" I ask, a feathery whisper in the quiet bedroom. He lifts his head to mine, and I want him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-evans/have-you-ever-been-anyone-s-i-ask-a-feathery-whisper-in-the-quiet/) [Katy Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-evans/) > [The beauty of my body is not measured by the size of the clothes it can fit into, but by the stories that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah/the-beauty-of-my-body-is-not-measured-by-the-size-of-the-clothes-it/) [Sarah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah/) > [It was the kind of experience, Molly said, that would grow calluses on an angel's ass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-charles-wilson/it-was-the-kind-of-experience-molly-said-that-would-grow-calluses-on/) [Robert Charles Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-charles-wilson/) > [That is mere sentimentality that lies abed by day and thinks itself white, far from the tan and callus of experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/that-is-mere-sentimentality-that-lies-abed-by-day-and-thinks-itself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I just had a pedicure. My feet are soft like a baby's behind. If his ass was covered in calluses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-saget/i-just-had-a-pedicure-my-feet-are-soft-like-a-baby-s-behind-if-his/) [Bob Saget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-saget/) > [“His knuckles are thick with calluses that come from repeatedly beating on things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoraida-c-rdova/his-knuckles-are-thick-with-calluses-that-come-from-repeatedly/) [Zoraida Córdova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoraida-c-rdova/) ## More by Noah Lukeman > [Despite popular conviction, a writer needn't wear black, be unshaven, sickly and parade around New York's East Village spewing aphorisms and scaring children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-lukeman/despite-popular-conviction-a-writer-needn-t-wear-black-be-unshaven/) [Noah Lukeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-lukeman/) > [“We listen to and interact with others all day long, but rarely do we hear them, take them for who they are; instead we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-lukeman/we-listen-to-and-interact-with-others-all-day-long-but-rarely-do-we/) [Noah Lukeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-lukeman/) > [Personally, I am always more impressed by simplicity, clarity; it is the mark of a writer who knows his subject well and is secure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-lukeman/personally-i-am-always-more-impressed-by-simplicity-clarity-it-is-the/) [Noah Lukeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-lukeman/) > [“When an editor reads, he is not just reading but breaking sentences into fragments, worrying if the first half should be replaced with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-lukeman/when-an-editor-reads-he-is-not-just-reading-but-breaking-sentences/) [Noah Lukeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-lukeman/) > [“Houses do fall, people are drowned and left rotting, but the general outline of the town persists, swelling here, shrinking there, like some low…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-lukeman/houses-do-fall-people-are-drowned-and-left-rotting-but-the-general/) [Noah Lukeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-lukeman/) [Explore all 6 Noah Lukeman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-lukeman/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In order to even begin to learn how to play his instrument, it takes the guitarist weeks to build calluses on his fingertips; it takes the saxophonist months to strengthen his lip so that he might play his instrument for only a five-minute stretch; it can take the pianist years to develop dual hand and multiple finger coordination. Why do writers assume they can just “write” with no training whatsoever-and then expect, on their first attempt, to be published internationally? 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