Upon occasion a prospective student will ask me, in regard to singing mastery, "How long will it take?" In America we definitely have an "instant gratification" mentality and TV programs like "American Idol" and "The Voice," etc., perpetuate that mindset. (Not to mention the encouragement that is given to unhealthy and even damaging vocal practices via the reward system of standing ovations given by those adjudicating the contests.) My answer to the "How long?" question is always, "It depends, how good do you want to be?"
The reality is that it takes approximately 10,000 hours to master any skill. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it and the better you will become. The best professional musicians know that the learning cycle never ends. We are always seeking new tunes, better techniques and new ways in which to spark our creative flames. And there is always, always, ALWAYS satisfaction and joy in the learning process!
I'm thankfully still learning. I'm gratefully still growing. And it is my sincere desire to continue on this joyful, fascinating path of mastery, ad infinitum.
My thanks to Tom Barton for writing this letter to the editor.