We have thousands of human-written stories, discussions, interviews and reviews from today through the past 20+ years. Find them here:

Search the site Search

By Heart

October 22, 2008 at 8:14 AM

I only play in the dark now.

Once the lights are out, the colors and shapes can come to life in my mind, and they pop out of my violin like I was Walt Disney or something. It's so fun to be at that stage of recital preparation where you can toss the black dots on the paper aside and begin to connect with the ideas in your head and really hear what's coming into shape. This is an entirely new level of music making, and it only happens once you know it by heart.

Now that I think of it, I'm not sure you really know your music unless your heart knows it.

I never thought of doing that. What a great idea!
I agree that you only know your music when your heart knows it.
I agree. You bring up a good point.
Try playing pieces like Bach when your very sad or depressed about something and see how it changres your playing.