I’ve been very fortunate to study with some wonderful teachers. But lately, I’ve been remembering one particular teacher a lot. His advice was simple and unexpected, and it made a huge difference for me.
In 1970, after graduating from Juilliard, a fine musician recommended that I study with John Crown at the University of Southern California. So I moved to Los Angeles and began my master’s program at USC.
I loved my lessons with John Crown. He was a very kind and relaxed man, and he saw and heard things in my playing that other teachers hadn’t. But unfortunately, after my fifth lesson, he got a fatal disease and stopped teaching. I was devastated, and I left the school at the end of my first semester.
Nevertheless, those five lessons changed my life. He taught me to pay attention to whether I felt comfortable or not in practicing a particular passage. And he told me that it’s neurologically impossible to play something very soft, very loud, or very fast when you’re first learning it. His primary advice was to practice in a way that felt physically easy and good, and to trust that in time, my body would be ready to produce the volume or speed I wanted.
He also said that in making certain jumps across the keyboard, I didn’t need to rush to be on time at first. Instead, he advised me to simply take whatever time I needed to easily make the jump, and that the time would gradually shorten as I got used to doing it.
I felt liberated. Liberated from trying hard to get particular results. I relaxed at the piano, and my playing improved a lot after that.
Ever since then, I’ve often asked my students to make a sign that says “comfortable” and to place it on the music rack next to their score while they’re practicing. It helps them remember to check in with their body, and to let go of any tension and strain that they notice.
We can’t make music the way we want to if we’re trying to get to our goal too soon.
The key to genuine artistry, including high-level technical skill, is always to trust yourself, and to let yourself be yourself. Then you can grow naturally, the way you’re supposed to. And you can become the musician you’re truly meant to be.
I wish you much joy and fulfillment in your practicing and performing!
P.S. Here is some additional help:
1) You’ll find a lot of helpful information about instrumental technique in Chapter 6 of my book, The Art of Practicing.
2) Try the Performing Beyond Fear® exercise for a super-efficient prep before performing – or even before practicing.
3) You’re welcome to schedule a complimentary consultation to get clearer on any issues you’re having with your playing.