Laura B
Chapter Summary: Many music majors have an addiction: An addiction to punishing ourselves through strenuous and long practice sessions. We feel like they would somehow make us more virtuous or the best in the program. Ristad in this chapter teaches about bringing our inner clowns out so that our practice becomes much more efficient, effective, and enjoyable. It is important to learn how to find humor in difficult situations, for that is what changes our whole perspective and attitude.
As shown through the experience with the violin players, we tend to focus way too much on what we should or should not be doing instead of what is actually happening. Once they released themselves from this routine through movement and imagination, they improved dramatically. We need to learn where the focus of our energy should be.
Key Concept: The main ingredient for effective practice is not more willpower more discipline or more stamina. It's more awareness.
Key Terms: inner clown, awareness
Making Connections: Like the violin players, I too have found myself stuck in a rut of constant mistakes. When I do something right, I have felt like it is by accident and have been doubtful that I would be able to reproduce it. I understand now that I have lacked awareness as I have become so focused on technique. I need to focus less on what is happening and focus more on the overall sense which what I'm doing is creating.
No comments:
Post a Comment