Where's the Bar?

Written by Mendy Smith
Published: February 24, 2014 at 3:02 AM [UTC]

I had a conversation tonight with a cellist I've been playing with for several years that had me literally and figuratively scratching my head and frankly put a smile on my face. Ironically, that conversation had much in common with the recent discussions on positive thinking.

The conversation started as a logistical one to figure out flight arrangements for Interlochen this summer. Somehow it touched on my musical skills(or in my mind, lack thereof). It turned out that what I perceive as my greatest weaknesses musically was seen from the outside as strengths. Where I felt I was stagnating in my musical progression was seen as tremendous strides in technique.

Maybe because that over time my teacher and I've set the musical bar higher, I have a hard time accepting this praise. On the other hand, I'll take it at face value and let it give me that bit of extra motivation I need at my to get over my current plateau.

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