Noticing Change
3 Changes I Have Discovered
Sometimes a change smacks you in the face (not literally), you realize that things are different. Other times, the changes are small. Easily missed in this noisy world.
This is the 88th post I have made to Practicing Turned Upside Down. Along the way, I have been grateful for notes from readers about changes that my ideas inspire. What changes are you enjoying?
I thought I would share some of the changes I am finding to give you ideas on what and how to look for them.
To experience a change, you have to be in the present moment. This is about being aware. Not thinking about the last time we did something or the obstacle you have encountered or thinking ahead to what is to come. It is actually being awake and aware in the moment. For instance, what is your contact with the chair and floor like right now? How are your ribs moving as you breathe? These two questions bring you into the real-time, the present moment.
When you are in the present moment you have choices. You can adjust the way you sit because you are leaning to one side, putting pressure on your low back and you can enjoy the excursion of your ribs.
Here are three changes I am enjoying.
I contact my instrument with a new touch, bear paws. I feel the instrument more clearly, the curves, the grooves, and the open holes in the keys. This increases my technical coordination AND allows me to notice when I begin to grip the instrument at the places where I am unsure of my skill. Further, this awareness helps me to identify where I need to work.
In my movement practices, I now notice when I am holding my breath. Holding the breath absolutely gets in the way of coordinated movement and skill execution. (Forward Kongs, navigating urban obstacles) A few months ago this wasn’t on my radar at all. This has led me to learn to trust and develop my skills and be aware as I move. It has also accelerated my skill development.
String players, percussionists, conductors - this is for you. Wind, Brass & Vocalists, this is for you too. Learning to move air in my most challenging moments allows me to move my air sufficiently when I feel challenged instead of going into physical lockdown hoping for the best.
Another breathing revelation is, I can sense the quality of my inhale. If my inhale is forced and unnatural, I can feel it make a change for the next breath. Also, this awareness allows me to identify where I need to pay a little more attention to, figure out how the inhalation enhances my musical intention. What is the purpose of the inhale? Between phrases or is the phrase continuing ahead.
I invite you to be awake and aware as you move through your day. Try out some movements you haven’t done before. Maybe learn a new skill. This challenges your idea of what you are capable of while enhancing your practice.
Be curious…