The Fun Of Practice

Speaking of the fun of practice, I read an essay about practicing which I found on this website: "Majoring in Music" The article points out that practice requires discipline and one can do it in a smart way. But it says that tedium is unavoidable. I really think that every part of practice, including the exercises that usually seem boring, every part can be made fascinating. Feldenkrais ATM points the way-- the simplest and easiest movements can be fascinating when we realize how rich they are, and how much there is to notice.

I agree wholeheartedly, coming from a very similar perspective (Alexander Technique rather than Feldenkrais). I'm always amazed that when one studies movement with these methods (or any other), there is always something new to be explored, always more learning. I don't think I'll ever be bored with practice or anything else ever again.

I agree with both of you. My bodywork background is different, and includes Tai Chi, Chi Gung, Gestalt Therapy with lots of bodywork and Afro-Cuban drumming and dancing. But I did not find the full enjoyment of playing and practicing until I started with Alan Frasers book and video. And of course watching Kemal Gekic videos. And it took very little time before I noticed surprising improvement in my practice. But I have noticed that sometimes I begin to struggle, and then its not so fun. So I have to be aware of that, and bring in the enjoyment. Since I have a strong background in percussion, the rhythm element will usually take care of that. And watching a video with one of my favorite pianists always works wonders. But if everything else fails, a bit of discipline never hurt anybody.

I'll agree again. Kemal Gekic is always inspiring due to the variety of tonal colours he is capable of and the ease with which he plays. I find watching and listening to Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett useful for the same reasons.

Amazing how strong the tendency to struggle can be though. In all my years of study with Kemal, I would say this was the biggest obstacle I had to overcome, and I would slip back into it over and over again... AFF

Yeah, I'm a struggler. I seem to need to struggle with something for a while before I convince myself, for the 1000th time, there is a better way. I just don't like to see a message like "tedium is unavoidable."

Tedium is unavoidable only when I am stupid enough to make it so.