| Author |
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yo59
Registered User
Posts: 1
(6/20/01 3:09:36 pm)
Reply
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Sustaining
Motivation for Practicing
Hello, this is my first posting.
I would appreciate advice and
ideas on how to sustain one's motivation for daily practice.
I
started playing the cello about 8 months ago (by the way, I just
turned 22) right after I graduated from college because I have
always wanted to play it.
I am usually driven by my desire to
improve and I enjoy practicing, but about once or twice a week I
lose all motivation to practice.
Please advise.
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bridge
Registered
User
Posts: 128
(6/20/01 3:19:30
pm)
Reply
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Re: Sustaining
Motivation for Practicing
Sometimes when I don't feel like "practicing", I just "play", which
still makes one a better cellist in the long run.
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ruthann
Registered User
Posts: 505
(6/20/01 4:37:54 pm)
Reply
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Re: Sustaining
Motivation for Practicing
Well, you need goals. I confess I don't get much done unless there
is a concert coming up or I want to reacquaint myself with a piece a
student is playing, etc.
How about: as a birthday present to
myself I want to play piece X. Or as a present for someone else's
birthday...or anniversary, or anything!
If you are taking
lessons, then you have that regular goal - this week's assignment
from your teacher.
Good Luck.
cello_suttonr@hotmail.com |
yo59
Registered User
Posts: 2
(6/20/01 6:05:51 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Sustaining
Motivation for Practicing
Thank you for your responses.
The two suggested self-imposed
incentive mechanisms seem to involve actual pieces that are fun to
play.
As I mentioned, I have only been playing for 8 months, and
I have been working mainly on scales and etudes as I cannot play any
real pieces yet. So, the pieces that I am technically qualified to
play are not so rewarding...
I do take weekly lessons and I am
always eager to play for the few days following them because my
teacher is always able to point out aspects of my playing that need
improvement. but then I lose momentum after a few days for reasons
unknown; I sort of become complacent and start thinking that however
I play this scale or that etude is as good as it can be (which is
obviously false...).
Well, I will try thinking about the weekly
assignments as my goal and try to see if that works. That is a good
idea.
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Bobbie
Registered User
Posts: 482
(6/20/01 6:14:55 pm)
Reply
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Re: Sustaining
Motivation for Practicing
Try finding some fun easy music. Mel Bay's Fun with the Cello has
lots of American and other folk songs. Krane's "Bach for the Cello"
has easy classical pieces. Or make some stuff up. Get a free
program, Finale Notepad,
(from
http://www.codamusic.com/
)
and just write some little bass clef tunes and try playing
them. Try recording yourself playing your lesson music. Find an easy
duet book and record one part and play the other. At the early
stages playing and practicing are pretty much the same thing. It's
important to learn the things your teacher assigns but it sometimes
seems hard to practice all week on just those things.
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Laura
Wichers
Moderator
Posts: 1012
(6/20/01 7:11:16 pm)
Reply
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Re: Sustaining
Motivation for Practicing
Playing for others is almost always a great incentive to practice.
Even if you are just starting out with the cello, you can still take
advantage of this idea. Maybe there is another student in your area
(and not just cellists, either, any instrument) that you could get
together with and perform for each other. And you don't have to
really "perform" a piece. Even just a simple one-octave scale can
create a lot of interesting discussion. Plus, you can start getting
performance experience in very low-stress situations, helpful if you
become more involved later on in chamber music, orchestral stuff, or
even solo recitals.
Laura
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dennisw
Registered User
Posts: 204
(6/22/01 12:04:07 am)
Reply
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Re: Sustaining
Motivation for Practicing
If you practice with intent and focus, whatever you play will
nearly always be the best you can currently play it. There really
isn't anything to be complacent about. You always play as well as
you can play and you are always getting better at it.
The
point is to play with intent (purpose) and focus
(concentration).
I would say, if you feel like playing, play.
If you don't feel like playing, do something else. I personally
don't see the point in practicing the cello when your being is a
thousand miles away, but you do it just to go through the motions.
That has never worked for me.
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Anna
List
Registered
User
Posts: 47
(6/22/01 5:37:07
pm)
Reply
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motivation
I want to suggest you a book: John Holt's "Never too late". I've
just read it, and it inspired my practising deeply. It's very true
that you need aims to work for a.s.o. But for me personally it's
more important, that I love to put musical ideas and emotions into
movings of my fingers, hands, arms...
Love it!
Anna
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yo59
Registered User
Posts: 3
(6/22/01 10:21:51 pm)
Reply
|
Re:
motivation
The book sounds interesting; I will most certainly take a look at
it. Thanks.
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