Simplicity in a Complicated World-- Part 2
Struggle, frustration, and anxiety: These are all emotions that we- especially musicians- experience frequently. Here's what to do about them.
Happy Monday and Happy Spring (though it would be nice if the weather reflected it more…..)! I hope this message finds you well. Apologies for going almost three weeks without a peep. The end of the semester is approaching at my graduate school, so a lot of big events and projects have been coming up. But it’s also given me a lot of time to think about today’s topic since it directly applies to what I’ve been doing lately. I’m sure you are busy too, so let’s get down to it!
You may recall from our last article the advice Madeline Bruser shared in her book (The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music From the Heart): “Drop your attitudes and be simple.” This involves allowing ourselves to feel vulnerable, spontaneous, and even uncertain— as uncomfortable as that can be. By doing so, however, we can release essential energy that can positively transform us, our music, and our audience who can’t help but absorb the energy.
Since we are human, however, it is impossible to play perfectly (or even play the way we want!) all of the time. That’s why it is important to realize the beauty in imperfection: we are imperfect human beings with imperfect emotions, and our imperfect playing can convey those emotions in a way our words cannot. Therefore, we can relate with each other and form a deep emotional bond through the sharing of beautiful music. But what do we do when the struggle to adequately express ourselves appears to be too much?
Bruser suggests stopping and feeling the moment. You may be unsure what to do next. Allow yourself to feel this exactly as it is. If you feel disappointment, longing, or anxiety, let it be. Don’t fight it. Don’t rush to move on or try another strategy. Just let it flow in that moment. Next, “approach the music again without trying to do anything special. Play or sing with that soft longing and with the feeling that you don’t quite know what you’re doing. Just be your unadorned self. Let the music play itself, no matter how strange or tentative it may feel or sound. Simple and unexaggerated as it is, it won’t sound dull. This is energetic simplicity— alive, pulsing, communicative.” (page 161)
How often do we get frustrated, disappointed, or anxious and think it’s because we must try harder to achieve our goals? So we try harder and become more flustered and our practice seems to get worse, which results in a continuous downward spiral. Bruser says that following the above advice will result in “a new intimacy with the music and your instrument.” Your body and heart will be more sensitive, and you will readily respond to “the delicate contours and harmonies of the music”. The musical shapes and colors convey a depth of feeling that will strike you and you will be able to bring them out naturally.
It’s certainly worth a try!
Best wishes to you as we all begin a new week! No matter what you are going through, I hope you will take some time to breath and stay connected with your heart. You are doing better than you think you are.
Community thread prompt: How do you handle feeling frustrated, disappointed, anxious, or uncertain? Does vulnerability and/or spontaneity make you feel uncomfortable?