Breaking Bad Habits
Have you ever noticed all of a sudden that you have developed a bad habit that seems to have come from nowhere?
I recently have. I was amazed. It had to do with the position of my left hand. It just wasn’t moving as easily as I remember. The arm felt strained, my back hurt, everything had gone wrong.
I sat down. I took my flute in my hands leaning the flute vertically and gently put my hands on the keys as I have so many times before.
This time however, unlike the last few months, when I was under such a strenuous concertizing time, I just took a moment and thought.
I asked myself what had happened to the comfortable feeling I used to have when I played?
Had stress, that most hated word, creped it’s way into my body and affected my flute playing? The answer was most definitely “yes.”
Since that moment or revelation, my playing has changed, for the better of course!
Just taking a moment and looking at the way I was playing, in front of a mirror, as I used to do when I was very young- just those few seconds have gotten me back on track.
Because I have the years of good teaching behind me I am able to correct any bad habit that finds its way into my playing- whether it be a forced, strained sound, slippery intonation or a stressed hand.
I can stop it and make it right.
You can too.
Why not take a moment and have a listen and look at what you are doing with your flute playing. It just takes a moment. Think back at what your teacher has told you or what you admire in your favorite performers.
Bad habits can be broken before they take over! It is precious this gift we have of music making. Don’t let the stress of life or your body get in that way of that music making!
Just a thought for your day!
Your friend,
