Always Teachable!

In the past, I've mentioned the whole "teacher becomes student, student becomes teacher" idea. When I teach, I am also in a learning process, while adapting to the students' present technical concerns. I not only observe these hinderences, I identify with them. Many times, I will observe technical shortcomings that may exist in my own playing, from time to time. For instance, I have recently begun work on further developing the pinky of my left hand. Anatomically, it is the weakest finger. Yet, all seasoned performers seem to have this finger equally developed, among the rest. This may seem like a small observation, however, it makes a huge difference in one's own technical development. Furthermore, the most acute, seemingly insignificant, observations make the most improvement in any given practice/teaching session.

Often times, Classical musicians, conductors and composers are teased for being too picky and idealistic. Really, an attention to detail is the most ideal and makes everything work well. Once again, we are practicing awareness and and physiological connection to our instrument. This lends itself to the ultimate connection with our music. Are we aware of our breathing patterns, posture, planes of the arms, and tension in our joints? If not, we are then neglecting ourselves of total mind/body connection, through the music. It is one of the most rewarding aspects of creating music. Since we are creatures of habit, it is very much the case (especially in the beginning stages of learning) that we may also be creatures of bad habit. Once we become professional, it is very likely that we may fall into the quandaries of past technical concerns. If we are not vigilant, we may become complacent, even ignorant, and fall off of that steady learning curve...In the course of music-making, regardless of technical ability, we are always students. We must always remember this concept...