Yesterday I reached a milestone in my practice: Suzuki Cello School, Book 4! After 15 months and 920 hours of playing the cello like a man possessed (& some 500+ hours on research), I have arrived at, in my teacher's words, the beginning of the beginning. It certainly feels like a milestone because within the pages of this next season of cello are the first forays into the Bach Cello Suites: Minuets I and II from BWV 1007. This is what I have been waiting for since I fell in love with the Cello as a teenager through the Prelude of that same masterwork!
In many ways reaching this point is finally where I feel justified in taking the time to begin blogging my efforts. Up till now, the focus has been on "woodshedding" technique in the practice room, and making progress to the point where I feel confident playing in front of strangers. New revelations after giving my 2nd recital have led me to the concrete proof that practice volume does not equate to a great performance but rather merely the potential for it. I will be posting more on the topic of the neurobiology & mental aspects of musicianship, but for now let us simply say that this blog is also meant to be part of expanding my performance experience.
My first humble YouTube video, my 2nd adult recital, and now book 4. This is almost a champagne moment, but since I'm more of a beer snob and writing this on a lunch break, let us instead celebrate with a remembrance of the wisdom of the last of the great 20th century cellists...
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Congratulations Ben! You've worked extremely hard and the progress you have made is astounding in only fifteen months. It's inspiring for me to hear of your achievements, sitting on my 300ish-hour plateau, wondering "is this it? can I get any better than this?".
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was wondering the exact same thing when I had been playing for 300 hours ;) and if you had heard me then you would have wondered about me too. If I can do it, anyone can and you sound if anything better than I did then. Maybe I should post some early iphone videos to demonstrate that progression is ALL in the hours, the level of curiosity, and replacing our negative inner voice with a nuturing one that believes anything is possible. There is nothing mystical about it except the joy of making your own music.
DeleteBy the way I have been trying to decide whether to move my blog here or keep it at wordpress and was wondering if you had any insights? Wordpress seems to have better features, but blogger is free. I am updating both for now and leaning toward wordpress at the moment.
For anyone else reading: http://mindfulcellist.wordpress.com