Here's a video of my performance at Music Forum today. :)
Excuse the timpani, bass drum, and music stand that were so rudely in the way.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Take Your Own Advice, Teacher
One of my students is a perfectionist. I don't relate at, of course. (Insert sarcastic tone.)
Today at her lesson we took a break from recital music and chatted. I asked her,
"What is the purpose of music?"
When she looked back at me with pleading eyes and responded, "To play everything correctly?" my heart ached. I have believed this so many years. Still do on so many days.
It's a hard tightrope to walk, playing your best while not being anal about every mistake. (That's my professor's favorite word to describe me: anal. Very flattering.)
I looked at this sweet girl and spoke words of Grace and Truth.
"You don't have to be perfect. Always do your best, but nobody expects perfection."
I could feel the struggle inside her surfacing.
"But if I play a wrong note, don't I have to go back and fix it?"
"What do you mean it can still be wrong if I play everything correctly?"
She was looking for a formula, the one I've been searching for all my life.
"What is the purpose of music?"
I spoke her name and invited her to meet my eyes, take in my words:
"Music is about communication - saying what's on your heart and mind."
We talked of how our words affect others; for instance saying "I love you" to someone evokes a response, as should the sound that proceeds from an instrument.
We talked of the joy the performer should feel, instead of the stress that always accompanies anal perfectionism.
We talked, and I can only hope I was listening.
Today at her lesson we took a break from recital music and chatted. I asked her,
"What is the purpose of music?"
When she looked back at me with pleading eyes and responded, "To play everything correctly?" my heart ached. I have believed this so many years. Still do on so many days.
It's a hard tightrope to walk, playing your best while not being anal about every mistake. (That's my professor's favorite word to describe me: anal. Very flattering.)
I looked at this sweet girl and spoke words of Grace and Truth.
"You don't have to be perfect. Always do your best, but nobody expects perfection."
I could feel the struggle inside her surfacing.
"But if I play a wrong note, don't I have to go back and fix it?"
"What do you mean it can still be wrong if I play everything correctly?"
She was looking for a formula, the one I've been searching for all my life.
"What is the purpose of music?"
I spoke her name and invited her to meet my eyes, take in my words:
"Music is about communication - saying what's on your heart and mind."
We talked of how our words affect others; for instance saying "I love you" to someone evokes a response, as should the sound that proceeds from an instrument.
We talked of the joy the performer should feel, instead of the stress that always accompanies anal perfectionism.
We talked, and I can only hope I was listening.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Music City
Performances, competitions, and recitals galore!
So many notes whirling around in my head, but I can't help get excited about music I'll begin learning this summer! There's so much fantastic piano repertoire out there. Three years into this program, and I've barely even scratched the surface! I'll be a life-long learner.
Super stoked to learn this Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue from Bach:
Listen to this and just tell me Bach's not a genius. I dare you.
So many notes whirling around in my head, but I can't help get excited about music I'll begin learning this summer! There's so much fantastic piano repertoire out there. Three years into this program, and I've barely even scratched the surface! I'll be a life-long learner.
Super stoked to learn this Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue from Bach:
Listen to this and just tell me Bach's not a genius. I dare you.
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