--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some of my first teachers were incredibly…" description: "\"Some of my first teachers were incredibly tough. You could never sing more than three words without being stopped and having to do it over 20 times. I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/769/renee-fleming-7065_being_some-of-my-first-teachers-were-incredibl_285533.jpg" --- # Some of my first teachers were incredibly tough. You could… ![“Some of my first teachers were incredibly tough. You could never sing more than three words without being stopped and having to do it over 20 times. I loved that - that sort of process of dissecting and trying to figure out and master this incredibly mysterious instrument.” quote by Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/769/renee-fleming-7065_being_some-of-my-first-teachers-were-incredibl_285533.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/769/renee-fleming-7065_being_some-of-my-first-teachers-were-incredibl_285533.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/769/renee-fleming-7065_being_some-of-my-first-teachers-were-incredibl_285533.jpg) > “Some of my first teachers were incredibly tough. You could never sing more than three words without being stopped and having to do it over 20 times. I loved that - that sort of process of dissecting and trying to figure out and master this incredibly mysterious instrument.” [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intense, repetitive practice forces deep mastery of a difficult instrument, turning challenges into artistic growth **In simple terms:** Hard, repeated practice leads to mastery of a complex skill Key Takeaway Embrace rigorous practice to master difficult skills Themes discipline mastery music education Mood determined reflective Type instructional motivational When to use this quote - learning a new instrument - preparing for performance - teaching vocal techniques Key Concepts deliberate practice skill acquisition musical expression Questions to Reflect On - How can one balance intensity with rest? - What mental shifts aid in mastering tough skills? A Different Perspective Intense repetition may cause burnout without balance ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Instrument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instrument/) [Music making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-making/) [Mysterious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) ## Related quotes > [Our teachers are incredibly hardworking and dedicated professionals. Having to deal with unruly pupils and disruption on a daily basis adds to their workload…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-williamson/our-teachers-are-incredibly-hardworking-and-dedicated-professionals/) [Gavin Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-williamson/) > [“Ev'ry Voice and Sing”—words by James Weldon Johnson and music by J. Rosamond Johnson. Copyright by Edward B. Marks Music Corporation. Used by permission.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/ev-ry-voice-and-sing-words-by-james-weldon-johnson-and-music-by-j/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm never going to sing the words, 'I want to shut down the club,' never, ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sia/i-m-never-going-to-sing-the-words-i-want-to-shut-down-the-club-never/) [Sia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sia/) > [These days, if you happen to be a poet you have to sing your words to get your ideas out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-genn/these-days-if-you-happen-to-be-a-poet-you-have-to-sing-your-words-to/) [Sara Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-genn/) > [When I can sing these words to you. Its the least that I can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-elektricity/when-i-can-sing-these-words-to-you-its-the-least-that-i-can-do/) [London Elektricity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-elektricity/) > [I love doing my surreal sing-along that had words that no one could follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-love-doing-my-surreal-sing-along-that-had-words-that-no-one-could/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [If you listen to a song like 'Sodade' from Caesaria Evoria, eventually you can sing the words just like she does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-gardot/if-you-listen-to-a-song-like-sodade-from-caesaria-evoria-eventually/) [Melody Gardot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-gardot/) > [Sometimes, I wish you'd pay more attention to my favorite songs because the lyrics sing words I'm too scared to say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/sometimes-i-wish-you-d-pay-more-attention-to-my-favorite-songs/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [You give out the words and then sing them. You give out the words, you know, and the people can hear what you're giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-stanley/you-give-out-the-words-and-then-sing-them-you-give-out-the-words-you/) [Ralph Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-stanley/) > [“Remember this, son, if you forget everything else. A poet is a musician who can’t sing. Words have to find a man’s mind before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/remember-this-son-if-you-forget-everything-else-a-poet-is-a-musician/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“A poet is a musician that can't sing. Words have to find a man's mind before they can touch his heart, and some men's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/a-poet-is-a-musician-that-can-t-sing-words-have-to-find-a-man-s-mind/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Waiting requires patience. There are three words in that sentence that nobody likes. Patience is not passivity. To be patient doesn’t mean you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-seefeldt-amodea/waiting-requires-patience-there-are-three-words-in-that-sentence-that/) [Brenda Seefeldt Amodea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-seefeldt-amodea/) > [I Can't Say I Love U To U Anymore My Darling, Because Those Three Words Are Not Enough To Describe My Love For U. ¥¥](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaceem-madridista/i-can-t-say-i-love-u-to-u-anymore-my-darling-because-those-three/) [Kaceem Madridista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaceem-madridista/) > [Sometimes, when you see a person cry, it's better not to ask why. Sometimes it takes only three words to make them happy again.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-when-you-see-a-person-cry-it-s-better-not-to-ask-why/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have three words for you," EMT Guy said. "Possible internal bleeding." I turned back to him. "Don't you think if I was bleeding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/i-have-three-words-for-you-emt-guy-said-possible-internal-bleeding-i/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) ## More by Renee Fleming > [My worry is that opera will become an historic art form as opposed to a living, breathing thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/my-worry-is-that-opera-will-become-an-historic-art-form-as-opposed-to/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [The more you put into it, the more you and the audience will get out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/the-more-you-put-into-it-the-more-you-and-the-audience-will-get-out/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [Among the important realizations I had in my own days in the practice room was that if any one route to any one phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/among-the-important-realizations-i-had-in-my-own-days-in-the-practice/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [I'm not exactly an angry young person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/i-m-not-exactly-an-angry-young-person/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [“Today, “crossover” has become the golden word of the age. Crossover is based, in fact, on the model used for the development of pop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/today-crossover-has-become-the-golden-word-of-the-age-crossover-is/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [Your brain has a music room, and evolution would not have gone to the trouble of designing that if it didn't have some benefits.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/your-brain-has-a-music-room-and-evolution-would-not-have-gone-to-the/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [I was always a very good student.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/i-was-always-a-very-good-student/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [“pulled out my Valery Gergiev trump card and said I would have to call him about getting another hotel. There are many ways in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/pulled-out-my-valery-gergiev-trump-card-and-said-i-would-have-to-call/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [I listen to archival and historic recordings. I love watching singers. I learned a lot from watching videos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/i-listen-to-archival-and-historic-recordings-i-love-watching-singers/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [Music enabled me as a fragile young person to give voice to emotions I could barely name, and how it enables me to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/music-enabled-me-as-a-fragile-young-person-to-give-voice-to-emotions/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [Well, any time Im preparing for a performance or even a rehearsal, its as if in a way, like any other athletes, these are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/well-any-time-im-preparing-for-a-performance-or-even-a-rehearsal-its/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [It is always fragile, being a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/it-is-always-fragile-being-a-parent/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [Opera is really fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/opera-is-really-fun/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [My philosophy is that the people around us are there doing as much work if not more work behind the scenes and they're the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/my-philosophy-is-that-the-people-around-us-are-there-doing-as-much/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [Having to travel so much plays havoc with your personal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/having-to-travel-so-much-plays-havoc-with-your-personal-life/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) [Explore all 95 Renee Fleming quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Some of my first teachers were incredibly tough. You could never sing more than three words without being stopped and having to do it over 20 times. 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