Aside from all the craziness of academia, I had a wonderful lesson. I'm learning so much. This is what I took away from my lesson today:
1. I understand how Mozart works.
2. I have no pulse.
3. I have captured the spirit of Mozart in my playing.
4. Apparently my pulse ran away.
5. The little details are escaping me: but they make music come alive.
6. It must be of Russian descent.
7. My biggest challenge (not "problem" or "obstacle") is having the patience to fully apply the concepts I learn to my playing for more than one hour a week (aka my lesson).
8. That would account for its speediness.
9. I am still a teenage girl because I rolled my eyes after a really bad joke. Bad, in this case, being defined as "so cliche and inadequate that it does not warrant laughter." Yes, I made up that definition; it fits well.
10. Sometimes it comes back for a brief time.
11. My metronome and I have some bonding to do.
12. I have misplaced my pulse.
13. I have great ears, but they must be challenged to listen faster.
Hmm... I'm sensing a theme. Yes, dear reader (since Jenni is the only one I know of that reads this thing other than me!), I learn quite a bit. Processing this wealth of wisdom is an enormous task. But I like it.
Really though, Scott is pleased with my progress and is holding me accountable for the little details to such a degree that I cannot help but be aware of them every time I play (outside of orchestra... I'm too busy to think then. Oops.) It is then that I must learn to have the patience to be a disciplined musician. That was my epiphany for today. It's nothing huge; I didn't acquire a new technique, but I did learn how to combat some of my personal shortcomings. I have such a desire to overcome these challenges, but I realize they will try my patience. In the end, however, I will overcome. (new mantra?)
Random lesson story: I was having issues clapping with a metronome (don't judge me!) and I happened to say "can't" out of habit. Now, on the wall of Scott's office is a sign that has the word "can't with a red "x" through it. I was searching for a different word then... and being the smart-aleck that I am I used "cannot." You have to love proper english. Well... the sign was added to then and there: cannot is now also there with a nice "x" through it. I tried...
Goodnight, y'all.
P.S. Advice from my dad: "Take care of yourself, say your prayers, go to church, brush your teeth, take a crap." If that isn't the best advice ever, I don't know what is. :)
