Comments on: How Struggle Becomes Skill

By: Philip simmonds

Philip simmonds — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:56:51 +0000

I call it the “panic button” most people quit, but the great ones embrace it and chew on it for a while and when they get it,look out!

By: pat Lange

pat Lange — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:29:18 +0000

Not being able to replicate that zone (the feeling)at will is the very thing that makes it so magical.

By: Emily C

Emily C — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:13:40 +0000

What’s most difficult, though, is replicating that zone in the practice room. Unfortunately.

By: Emily C

Emily C — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:12:46 +0000

I completely agree with the previous comment. On Sunday, I performed an audition for a (smaller) concerto competition, playing the finale of the Dvorak Cello Concerto. I made mistakes onstage that I had never made before. I’d been struggling with the concept of deep practice for months before the competition, and have still not conquered it. I was practicing several, several hours a day before the competition, but it wasn’t the perfect brand of practice.

Listening to the recording of what I played on stage, I realized so many mistakes. And, by making those mistakes, and analyzing them, I learned exactly what I need to correct in order to play the movement really well. I’m very happy that I made those mistakes onstage, because now I know exactly what I need to fix. Being put on the spot like that, the pressure is on, and nothing – nothing – will expose mistakes like the time on stage. I’m so excited to get back to the cello now.

By: Tom McGurk

Tom McGurk — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:32:19 +0000

Musicians call this road chops – you learn more in 5 minutes on stage performing than an hour at home playing the same song. Fore some reason the time is focused. The zone.