10,000 hour rule

Malcolm Gladwell proposes the idea that it takes a person at least 10,000 hours of practice to master a discipline. Speaking from my own experience, this sounds about right. 10,000 hours sounds like a long time, but if you love what you are doing, it flies right by! All you young musicians out there...don't underestimate the power of diligent, intelligent practice. If you want to make a career out of music performance, practice is the bedrock foundation of all accomplishment!

Rain Song - Ronald Roybal - Native American Flute Music

This is 'old style' flute playing. Some people like it, some people don't. It's a hard style to play and I hear very few players doing it. It takes lots of practice and lots of deep digging into where the song lives. It's what I do.

Skyfather's Dream - Ronald Roybal - Native American Flute Music

I uploaded this video to my YouTube channel this weekend along with my previous blog posts. This one is a rare concert performance of 'Skyfather's Dream' on solo Native Flute. The inspiration was to imagine a song that describes Creator dreaming us into existence. It is the title track of my 'Skyfather's Dream' album. The setting of this beautiful house of worship set a wonderful mood!

I'm Going Home - Ronald Roybal - Classical Guitar

This is one of my solo guitar compositions that I have grown to love. I wanted to evoke an 'American West' feel that was sentimental and nostalgic. I performed this frequently at the Hotel Santa Fe last season and have also included it in some of my concert programs such as this one. I'm thinking about including it in my next album. Guitar can be such an evocative instrument!

Where The Water Cuts Through - Ronald Roybal - Native American Flute Music

Here is some rare concert footage of me performing 'Where The Water Cuts Through', a classical guitar and flute duet. In concert, I perform flute live to a backing track of my guitar performance. I can't find anyone who will learn my guitar part so I remain a solo act! This song is in honor of my ancestral Pueblo of San Ildefonso whose name in Tewa means 'Where The Water Cuts Through'. Enjoy!

"Be The Best"- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This is one of my favorite speeches by Brother Martin. He exhorts us to be the best at our calling in life. In this way, no one can blame our heritage for our failings and we can't use it as an excuse not to aspire to greatness. This speech made a huge impact on me when I was a boy and his words have been in my heart as long as I can remember. Thank you Lord for giving him to us...