Hi, I've been working on the Andante from the second unaccompanied sonata for violin by J.S. Bach, and I'm really enjoying it. I thought I'd share a bit of my practice & process with you today! [Music at 5:08]
I've been using my ‘5 Pre-Pearls' process to introduce my practice sessions recently. These are discussed more fully in my book; I'll share them briefly with you here:
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Purpose: Considering my “why.” Why am I doing this?
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Wonder: Open asking, wondering, having questions, getting curious, but not needing or searching for answers. Just being open and wondering with childlike, playful curiosity. This puts me into a learner growth mindset, instead of a judging or self-critical mindset – much more helpful for practicing, performing, or just living life and enjoying yourself.
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Shadow: Acknowledging the shadow side of myself. We all have doubts (I call them the Doubt Monsters!), fears, and anxiety. I'm just touching on that briefly. I don't want to stay there too long, but I'm aware of a little contraction happening as a result. Just noticing that, not judging it.
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Light: Easy affirmations or light to balance out the shadow, actually to illuminate it, or at least be in the process of overcoming it. I want to recognize the light inside me and around me, and the positive thoughts I want to bring to myself and my practice. This reminds me of my “3 Magic Phrases”: “I am free,” “I don't have to do anything right now,” and “I have time and space.”
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Integration: Letting those positive easy affirmations and magic phrases sink in. I want to allow myself to embody that and do a little bit of what we call ConstructiveThinking™. My primary concern is getting curious about what's happening to me right now and noticing some easing within me with my thinking.
I'm bringing that curiosity into the Andante. I have a general idea of the notes and the music and how I want it to go, but I'm open to discovering what it wants. I'm partnering with this lovely instrument as a very dear old friend to find out what it wants today.
[Music at 5:08]
If you've been following me on social media, you probably knew that I just took my violin out again last week and practiced for the first time in two years.
I'm really enjoying practicing and getting back into the puzzle of making music! I'm inspired these days to learn more about practicing for myself, experiencing it and discovering moment by moment what wants to come through me in the practice sessions.
I want to share my experience as a professional musician with a lifetime of making music professionally, and my experience as a certified Alexander Technique teacher and coach for musicians, specializing in touch-free, Primal Alexander™ technique, which I've been teaching exclusively online since 2018.
I'm currently designing a course for musicians who want to learn how to practice in a super efficient, effective way that brings deeper purpose and meaning to what they're doing. It brings a meditative, mindful quality into the practice room, making it more about personal discovery and personal growth. It's about becoming yourself, being yourself, becoming your best self, shedding the layers of tension and masking that we do to protect ourselves from the world.
We want to learn how to let go of what's not necessary and do less of the hard work, the pushing, the efforting that maybe we've learned along the way because we were taught to practice hard to get results.
I want to show you another way that's much easier, much more joyful, and way more effective, so that your progress is faster and deeper, more meaningful, and integrates your music with the rest of your life.
The five Life-Pillars of my signature system, called The Art of Freedom® Method for Conscious Living and Masterful Artistry, are purpose, mind, body, spirit, and artistry.
It's a comprehensive way of looking at musical practice in the context of your whole life – who you are, who you bring to your music, and how you can bring that to making a positive difference in the world for yourself, your family, your neighbors, your students, your audiences.
If you're interested in mastering your artistry through self-mastery and joy, with a central focus on purpose and love, bringing your true, authentic self with free expression to the things that you do with courage, confidence, fearlessness, and so much joy, light, and love, then just reach out to me and inquire about this new program I'm developing on mindful, magical, smart practice. I've had lots of students over the years tell me that the work they've done with me is nothing short of miraculous! 
I would love for you to experience that too!
Reach out to me if you're curious, and we'll have a conversation. I'll share with you whatever this turns out to be – it's going to be something new and profoundly different from anything else out there, I'm quite sure. Send me a message, comment below, or send me an email… and let's chat about what's possible for you! 
I would love for you to experience that too!
Reach out to me if you're curious, and we'll have a conversation. I'll share with you whatever this turns out to be – it's going to be something new and profoundly different from anything else out there, I'm quite sure. Send me a message, comment below, or send me an email… and let's chat about what's possible for you! 
Are you curious to try a more holistic approach to music-making so you can break through to the next level on your artistic journey with ease?