Finishing

May 30, 2007 at 3:45 AM

I sometimes write computer programs. I have found that the basic logic of a program usually comes together very quickly. Then comes the hard work to make the user interface look nice and then error trapping and then formatting and then documenting etc. etc.. A working version in an hour and a sustainable version two days later.

Its that way with learning music. There is a perverse double 80-20 rule in music. The last 20% requires 80% of the effort. The last 20% provides 80% of the benefit. When one is an amateur with nowhere in particular to play a piece it is easy to get bored and move on to something else. The problem with this is that the tough mental discipline needed for real progress isn't cultivated and the hoped for improvement is only partially realized.

It came clear to me when I listened to the following CD.

Every-Violinists-Guide-Caprices

It is Steven Staryk playing etudes and caprices. There is something for everyone. It even includes Sevcik and Kreutzer.

Even an artist usually plays his etudes only in the studio but listen to this recording to see the benefit of putting the final finish on something (that ordinarily would never be heard by others.)

I have a tendency (maybe others do too) to practice all the hard passages separately. This is bad. As I commence each passage I start with a slightly different hand posture optimized for the passage. Sometimes this "optimized" posture is not correct. It is just a facilitation that should never have been attempted. I conned myself into it because I had an unrealistic initial condition. Other times the posture is correct but there is no proper practice of the transition from one hand shape to the next. This all leads to sloppiness.

I have resolved to try harder to finish the etudes and pieces. (And it isn't even New Year's Day. How long will this last?)

From Terez Mertes
Posted on May 30, 2007 at 6:17 PM

>There is a perverse double 80-20 rule in music. The last 20% requires 80% of the effort. The last 20% provides 80% of the benefit.

You said it!

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Finishing

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