#223

'We cannot possibly give music to others without first receiving it ourselves. Practicing is the process of receiving what was written. Receiving can be difficult. Many of us have grown up in environments that did not sufficiently encourage us to enjoy or appreciate ourselves. Yet we need such encouragement and warmth to stay receptive to our feelings and to music. I sometimes point out to students that their frustration with a piece is an indication that they care deeply about it. One student told me it was one of the most helpful things ever said to him. He was able to stop berating himself and began to appreciate himself instead, which opened him up enormously to the music. We don't usually use experiences of dissatisfaction as signals to be gentle with ourselves. Instead, we blame ourselves or become aggressive with the music. Tension escalates, and the more we practice a piece, the worse it gets.' (Madeline Bruser, The Art of Practicing p.15)