From the notebook
Every now and then I pull out some random thoughts from my practicing notebook that seem like they’d be good to share.
When I practice I spend hours approximating what I want. A lot of that time I'm only (or, sometimes, not even) close to actually doing what I want. But that's not wasted or misspent time. In addition to practicing the motion I need to make, I'm practicing mental things – intention, concentration, discipline, maintaining optimism in the face of frustration and inability.
Part of my improvement in playing in time is coming from the amount of attention I'm paying to it. I think this is generally true; things will get a certain percent better just because you're paying attention to them, even if you're not doing much else.
I've been thinking about “smoothness” as something to work on for a long time. This is from First, Learn to Practice (2012):
Speed is not the target. Smoothness is the target. Speed is the bullet hole you make when you hit the target.
I'm finding it helpful to think of smoothness as making everything even – even tempo, even volume, even pressure, even effort. “Even” seems more actionable than “smooth.”
What are the biggest non-musical practicing concerns I have?
Posture – 2 hours of practicing is impossible with a sore back, and a sore back is just about inevitable for me unless I:
focus on keeping it relaxed but straight, and
stretch it every 40 minutes or less.
Maintaining momentum and focus
Maintaining curiosity
Maintaining optimism
