Step Back to Propel Forward

Stepping Back Will Propel You Forward

I told readers/practicers to begin sessions in a certain way, by doing overtones for larynx strength and control, some slow intervals in chosen patterns, maybe trill-like movements to loosen fingers, etc.

Now comes the time when your musical thinking must begin, for the point of the practice is performing and expressing music, not merely technical brilliance.  Whatever you choose to work on after the warm up, ‘step back’ and listen to it in your imagination before actually playing it on your instrument.  In my essay ‘Hear It & You Can Play’, I elaborated on this idea, and I again tell you that unless you can hear it in your imagination, you will not play it well in your performance.  Remember how you’re able to play music at your best (from Andre Watts): “It all depends on the intensity of you concentration and the vividness of your AURAL imagination.”

Another facet of practice is this: When you make a mistake, do not immediately play it again, for you will undoubtedly make the same mistake, or do something more severe.  It’s the same as entering a key into a lock, which fails to open, whereupon you immediately insert the tin object again, and then again, etc, with still no success.  And ‘know what happens as a result: you damage, or RUIN both the key and the lock, the same as you’ll do with the central nervous system, the motor neurons and the reflexes used for this ‘molested’ passage of notes. 

So, ‘step back’ and think about what you did and imagine doing it the new corrected way.  I guarantee the passage will be greatly improved, if not beautifully performed.

On the subject of difficulties and mistakes in playing technique, I’ve found many times the fingers emphasize the wrong note or notes, or press too weakly on the fingering of the note prior to the problem area, so you are not able to ‘spring onto’ the faulty note or phrase.  Remember as in sports, you need a ‘wind up and pitch’ in your finger execution, for those 10 priceless digits are 10 little lithe athletes.  And as in all athletic movements, the fingers must have no tension, or ‘trying’ in their action and effort; their movement should be subconscious, simply following ‘the vividness of your imagination’!

I hope you find this advice helpful.

Please give me comments and feedback.

Sincerely,

Errol Weiss Schlabach

First Day of School

First Grade