I'm over a month in now, and it has been good. There have been challenges, but I'm very pleased with the journey I've taken.
I still feel limited sometimes from shoulder or neck pain that comes with prolonged practising- especially of the violin. I'm working on mitigating that, however, and maintain positivity. I also have had a day recently where I felt very low in motivation and focus. As long as these are the odd-days, however, I think Its acceptable. Some days, right? I take outdoor walking breaks regularly, which break up my days, keeps me mobile, and gets me outside.
Practising has definitely seen progress, and that might be the biggest source of encouragement and inspiration. Getting to the point where I can play songs on the violin and trumpet is rewarding, but also has been leading me into a rather new experience of music, because maybe for the first time I'm actually really engaging with music notation. Although I think I've considered my ear-approach to give me musical freedom, there is a kind of liberation that comes with combining reading skills. It means that a world of melodies, of the great songs, of the great writers, opens up and may begin to influence my musical sensibility.
Its work, but its exciting work, thus making for good learning.
While private practise has been going pretty well, I recognize that my socialization may not be what it could be at this point. I don't just mean being around people for its own natural positive influence on well being, but also from a developmental standpoint- collaborating with other musicians or artists. I have been getting out to listen to music or to the cinema, but I don't think that's quite enough.
I've been going back into recordings I've had on an old tablet- song ideas etc- in search of some that I might develop. It's been like going into a time machine of my mental, social, and spiritual self. Recordings dated back to 2012 (though I'm sure there's older stuff recorded elsewhere), and it is remarkable the change that one can experience in five or six years. I suppose I could describe the examination as transporting.
That said, writing has perhaps taken second fiddle to practise. I practise in my good morning hours, and give it lots of time. And why not? Like I said, it gets the payoff. Writing, however, seems more thankless, and I haven't exactly given it much more than the afternoon leftovers. I haven't gotten terribly far in building a new repertoire, especially of original material- so that might need more diligent focus this month.
Regarding goals; I've been giving this some thought. I've been maintaining a good discipline of practise, so I think its reasonable to expect substantial progress at my musicianship by the end of these months. I don't think I need to give myself a report card. As two tangible goals, however, I think I will aim to produce something recorded, and something performed near the end of this season. That, I reckon, is enough for now. Achievable, challenging, interesting.
The past month has been a really neat realisation that quality and consistent practise can really pay off. Its also fairly dreamy because its like that great part of University- the learning and producing for the passion of it - without all the concern of money and work and exams (and maybe without the terrible diet that came with that too). This could be called balance, and its RADICAL. The fire that deadlines can put in a person might help a bit, but I have goals, and I think that they combined with interest and diligence, might just do.
I feel so grateful living this season.
M
I still feel limited sometimes from shoulder or neck pain that comes with prolonged practising- especially of the violin. I'm working on mitigating that, however, and maintain positivity. I also have had a day recently where I felt very low in motivation and focus. As long as these are the odd-days, however, I think Its acceptable. Some days, right? I take outdoor walking breaks regularly, which break up my days, keeps me mobile, and gets me outside.
Practising has definitely seen progress, and that might be the biggest source of encouragement and inspiration. Getting to the point where I can play songs on the violin and trumpet is rewarding, but also has been leading me into a rather new experience of music, because maybe for the first time I'm actually really engaging with music notation. Although I think I've considered my ear-approach to give me musical freedom, there is a kind of liberation that comes with combining reading skills. It means that a world of melodies, of the great songs, of the great writers, opens up and may begin to influence my musical sensibility.
Its work, but its exciting work, thus making for good learning.
While private practise has been going pretty well, I recognize that my socialization may not be what it could be at this point. I don't just mean being around people for its own natural positive influence on well being, but also from a developmental standpoint- collaborating with other musicians or artists. I have been getting out to listen to music or to the cinema, but I don't think that's quite enough.
I've been going back into recordings I've had on an old tablet- song ideas etc- in search of some that I might develop. It's been like going into a time machine of my mental, social, and spiritual self. Recordings dated back to 2012 (though I'm sure there's older stuff recorded elsewhere), and it is remarkable the change that one can experience in five or six years. I suppose I could describe the examination as transporting.
That said, writing has perhaps taken second fiddle to practise. I practise in my good morning hours, and give it lots of time. And why not? Like I said, it gets the payoff. Writing, however, seems more thankless, and I haven't exactly given it much more than the afternoon leftovers. I haven't gotten terribly far in building a new repertoire, especially of original material- so that might need more diligent focus this month.
Regarding goals; I've been giving this some thought. I've been maintaining a good discipline of practise, so I think its reasonable to expect substantial progress at my musicianship by the end of these months. I don't think I need to give myself a report card. As two tangible goals, however, I think I will aim to produce something recorded, and something performed near the end of this season. That, I reckon, is enough for now. Achievable, challenging, interesting.
The past month has been a really neat realisation that quality and consistent practise can really pay off. Its also fairly dreamy because its like that great part of University- the learning and producing for the passion of it - without all the concern of money and work and exams (and maybe without the terrible diet that came with that too). This could be called balance, and its RADICAL. The fire that deadlines can put in a person might help a bit, but I have goals, and I think that they combined with interest and diligence, might just do.
I feel so grateful living this season.
M
