“It is common knowledge that Jordan made more last-minute shots to win the game for his team than any other player in the history of the NBA. What is not so well known, is that Jordan also missed more last-minute shots to lose the game for his team than any other player in the history of the NBA. What made him greatest was not perfection, but the willingness to put himself on the line as a way of life.” - Josh Waitzkin, writing about Michael Jordan in The Art of Learning p. 113
Mindset, awareness, and attention can often be clouded as we strive to play what we practice. We get so involved in regurgitating notes, rhythms, and dynamics that we lose touch with the present movement, the moment of creation. Dysregulated breathing also complicates our state of mind as it activates the nervous system into states not conducive to performing. (Find out more about breathing in the last 4 weeks of posts.)
This week, I take you on a detour and consider artistic mindset. What is your intention as you play? To play it right? Does it change when you perform? Is your hope to regurgitate exactly what you prepared? Can you imagine Michael Jordan intending to throw a free throw exactly the same way he did the last time? He is never exactly the same two days in a row and each free throw is made in a unique context.
Much like Jordan’s free throw, musical expression is a real-time, authentic activity. While our ideas are guided by musical notation and performance practice, each performance has a unique context.
What can we do?
Be both an observer of the creation unfolding and immersed in creating. This allows us to create something unique in each performance. Perhaps you hear something just a little differently in a performance, a tempo may be different, or the sound of the hall may be different. These elements present an opportunity to respond to what you hear and create something in response. Perfection comes in the spontaneity of this process as you draw from the immense palette of sounds, articulations, dynamics, and ideas amassed through practice.
Including this mindset in your process from day 1 will inspire expression and ultimately delight listeners and audition panels. Yes, it is taking a chance, but like Jordan it takes some misses to succeed.
How can you uncover this?
Take nothing for granted, be in the moment, and put yourself on the line to deliver something as unique as your artistry. Fun ways to enter this process:
Observe the feel of your instrument in your hands if you are an instrumentalist. Imagine that someone may have swapped in a different instrument without you knowing it. As you play, be aware of the feel of the keys, the weight, and the texture. Notice it like you have never felt this before.
See and hear the space you are performing in. Hear how the sounds of your footsteps reverberate in the space as you walk to where you will perform. Even if the listeners are silent listen for ambient noises HVAC, movement, and noises from outside the space. See the walls, floors, and ceiling as you prepare and intend to fill the space with your sound, every nook and cranny.
Choose a grounding intention, something that will bring you into the moment as you prepare and perform. Things like:
Feel the rib cage move as you breathe
Feel your clothing touching your skin, and notice where it doesn’t come in contact
Notice how weight gently shifts at your base (sitting bones or feet) as you perform
