Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE
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Effective practice
Paganini
I've just bought a music stand for my office, and it's the best thing I've done for a while. I play my violin in the morning at work from around 6.45am before anyone gets in, so there's no chance of anyone being bothered by the noise. Good job really. It's a routine that I've got into,....I arrive, open all the windows to get some fresh air circulating, switch the computer on and let the emails arrive, I make a cup of tea and get my violin out.
Up to now I have just either lain my music on the desk with a good desk light over it, or sometimes I would get a writing slope out and place that on top of my desk so the music is tilted towards me. Either way, it necessitated me either sitting down to play, which is fine, or standing then peering down at the music occasionally. This hasn't been good because this tends to draw me forwards and down which does not help my posture and will affect my playing. Naturally I take care of my posture given my profession as an Alexander Technique teacher, but why make the situation more difficult than I need?
Although I've been playing the violin at work in the early morning for a year or more, there has been a reluctance to acknowledge it properly. It's almost that I feel guilty about it. Hence, I've not bought a music stand, partly because it takes up space, I didn't want the bother of folding it away and it was making the violin playing seem too big a part of my day. It's a distraction, although it's wonderful to do. Usually I play for around 20 minutes, do a few scales and exercises and a little play at something from memory then leave it at that....nothing too serious. I leave my main practice for the evening when I do have a music stand and I play my lovely 18th century violin.
But the difference in having a proper music stand is extraordinary. It not only supports the music well at the proper height so I'm maintaining better posture while playing, but it has affected me in other ways too. Rather than considering this early morning session as very informal and just a bit of a tootle to keep my hand in, it's shifted the importance of it. Now when I stand in front of the music stand I play properly, with care and more attention to my posture and use, as well as with more appropriate intent. I therefore make better use of the time, I'm more effective, more focused, I work harder at the difficult parts, I play the instrument better and ultimately play better music. I don't need to spend any more time doing it than I have done previously, but it has shifted my emotional state so that ultimately I benefit.
In other words, If I'm going to do any violin playing at all at this time of day, then I'm better off doing it properly. It's the same with any darned thing in life. If it's worth doing at all, it's worth doing properly. How many things do we attempt half-heartedly then when it doesn't work too well, we quit for the time being and move on to something else?
Today, I forgot the time and discovered that I'd been playing for an hour. Fortunately there was a cancellation in my diary so the first client session that I give won't be until later, so I had the time. I made great progress. But I reckon my playing need not take any more time than I've devoted to it previously, but because my attitude is different, I shall make better use of the time.
If we're going to do anything, it's worth doing it as well as possible. Because, however we do it, the manner and attitude we apply will become the norm, as repetition forms habit. So now, I've given the early morning violin practice the stature and importance it deserves. I've acknowledged and accepted it better, and I can sense that my abilities will progress more quickly.
If you're going to do something, give your whole heart to it. Multitasking is for those who are not bothered about the quality of what they're producing. Do one thing at a time. Set yourself up well to give it your full attention and not be restricted by physical limitations. Sort out your equipment, tools and space to work. Give yourself the best chance of doing as well as you can. I know that if I practice sloppily, I will become a sloppy player and this will affect my whole ability. Setting yourself up well and giving your whole attention to the activity probably won't take any longer and you'll get far more out of it. Do this with everything and watch how you progress. Great.
:-)
