Hello and welcome back to his segment of How to Practice. This
time I have a different (or at least less commonly thought about) technique for
helping you practice; Practice outside your comfort zone. This means a few
different things; like playing harder music or playing different music than
what your use to. I say that you should do all of that and more!
Many people who
don't like being outside the box are afraid of messing up and looking stupid
when they do. Don't be afraid to make mistakes when you’re playing! Just
believe in what you’re playing and if you mess up, then say "Ah well"
and shake it off. That is easier said than done, I know but sometimes you have
to get out of that block. As long as you’re not on stage giving a concert then
it shouldn't matter whether you make a mistake or two. The point is
as long as you’re learning something new and pushing your limits then you will
be fine! Challenges come and go all the time and the courage is in trying to
push your own limits because you are only limited to the extension of
your imagination and technical know-how. If that means you are just
starting out and know only how to produce a few "noises" or you are
like what I did the other day at the SC Cello Choir and was the only 1st chair
player in a couple of the rehearsals sight reading material and
techniques I had never seen before. The point is you need to not be limited to
what your mind knows what to do, but you should do what your mind thinks you
can't do because that is the only way to learn anything but especially music.
As I stated
before, I was the only cellist in Section I that didn't go to the advanced
orchestra rehearsal because I felt like it would be better if I made the pieces
I had sound the best I could get them to sound over being in both groups. That
is the only exception to my rule: If you don't feel comfortable preforming
something in the slightest, then don't add on. That only creates a train wreck.
You should push yourself but at the same time know where your limits to your
abilities are. You should aim a higher then you did before but not too high. If
you’re reading Suzuki Book 4, then aim for the 5th or maybe the 6th, but not
anything higher. For those who are learning through the Hal Leonard books, then
go one page to about 2 or 3 ahead but no more than that. You don't want to try
to push too much.
Now before I leave
you I had a question for you. Is there enough regular viewers to start a
contest on or what do you guys think I should do? You can email me, tweet me, use my hashtag, or facebook me. If you want to be heard, have a
question, want to tell me how I'm doing or just want to make a suggestion on
something to talk about or more review ideas. I'm here to talk to you about
music! Also, if you want to create fan art I would love to see it! If not I
will create a new logo soon enough!
Alfred 00-0481S Suzuki Cello School Cello Part- Volume 2 - Music Book