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Mendy Smith

Balance

March 11, 2008 at 6:51 AM

Balance.

Such a simple concept, but one so difficult to master. How to balance the viola properly on your shoulder, how to balance your hand, how to balance music, life and work.

I've seen musicians - amatures and professionals both, take their art so seriously that other aspects of life are put on the back-burner.

I've seen tech professionals work 20+ hour days to "get the job done", that life outside of work is a dim memory.

What is it that drives people down one path, never to take a detour to see what is on a side-road?

It's nearly spring, and I can't WAIT to go out exploring again!


From Pauline Lerner
Posted on March 11, 2008 at 8:03 AM
It's nearly spring where I live, too. I've been waking up in the morning with my eyes burning and my sinuses clogged. Today I figured out why. I saw a red maple in bloom outside my window. I'm always impressed with how pretty they are and what bad effects they can have on your health. The forsythias here are about to bloom and the daffodil leaves are already up. We will have cold weather for a while, but I believe in spring.
From Stephen Brivati
Posted on March 11, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Greetings,
Mendy you can push the idea of balance one step further even than oyu havce alreayd so eloquently done. Balance of mind is one of the hardest things for us to achive today primarily becaus eof the junk we eat and the noise we have created which blots out the real sound of the universe.
Musicians who meditate evry day have a real edge. The interesitng thing is this idea is often reatce dagainst veyr strongly by violnists. I suspect they are afraid of what they would find out ;)
Cheer,s
Buri
From Kim Vawter
Posted on March 13, 2008 at 4:10 AM
Melody,
I have waited so long for this. All the time in the world. Waking up to the sunrise with a room filled with flowers and plants. No kids, 2 little dogs and a horse in the field. the only trouble is that i am an adult student and my fingers are stiff and my brain is rattled and I have started this journey about 50 years later than most of the other violin students. Balance? Yes, because with stress you have something to push against. Now is the best time for you. Keep going!
From Stephen Brivati
Posted on March 13, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Greetings,
if you have stiff fingers change your diet;)
Its not a function of age..
Cheers.
Buri

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