Comments on: Just Starting is the Hardest Part http://www.classicalguitar.org/2008/11/just-starting-hardest-part/ Classical Guitar Lessons, Interview, News, Tips & More Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:11:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: CD http://www.classicalguitar.org/2008/11/just-starting-hardest-part/#comment-19 CD Sat, 08 Nov 2008 06:48:23 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=57#comment-19 I think we approach things very differently, Andy. I'm more of a "just do the thing" kind of guy. To be at my best I have to do as little thinking as possible. I've been given compliments on my confident stage manner, but I'm always pretty terrified. I'm not sure where it comes from. A falsely confident smile and manner make a lot of difference. After the walk out, though, it just gets easier. I think we approach things very differently, Andy. I’m more of a “just do the thing” kind of guy. To be at my best I have to do as little thinking as possible.

I’ve been given compliments on my confident stage manner, but I’m always pretty terrified. I’m not sure where it comes from. A falsely confident smile and manner make a lot of difference. After the walk out, though, it just gets easier.

]]> By: andy http://www.classicalguitar.org/2008/11/just-starting-hardest-part/#comment-18 andy Sat, 08 Nov 2008 06:31:45 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=57#comment-18 i too find starting to be difficult. oftentimes after getting on stage, no matter the degree of preparation or confidence a ton of mental "white noise" will start, drowning out conscious thought and will. the trick is to subdue that, either by as you suggested starting with a familiar piece (letting the robot brain start and then put the human brain to work after) or by grounding yourself mindfully after acquiring the performance space. this is my favorite method: walk confidently onto the stage. assume a character (confident musician, excellent performer, emotive communicator, etc) and allow that character to start the piece. then gradually come to inhabit that character, and from there make beautiful music. i too find starting to be difficult. oftentimes after getting on stage, no matter the degree of preparation or confidence a ton of mental “white noise” will start, drowning out conscious thought and will. the trick is to subdue that, either by as you suggested starting with a familiar piece (letting the robot brain start and then put the human brain to work after) or by grounding yourself mindfully after acquiring the performance space. this is my favorite method: walk confidently onto the stage. assume a character (confident musician, excellent performer, emotive communicator, etc) and allow that character to start the piece. then gradually come to inhabit that character, and from there make beautiful music.

]]> By: emon http://www.classicalguitar.org/2008/11/just-starting-hardest-part/#comment-17 emon Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:13:07 +0000 http://www.classicalguitarblog.net/?p=57#comment-17 Tell me about it. Some days, just the thought of having to start practicing makes me run in the other direction. I think your tip goes hand in hand with the other tip about practicing with a goal in mind. Smaller daily goals. But you're right, simply starting without thinking too much gets you in the mood. Tell me about it. Some days, just the thought of having to start practicing makes me run in the other direction.

I think your tip goes hand in hand with the other tip about practicing with a goal in mind. Smaller daily goals. But you’re right, simply starting without thinking too much gets you in the mood.

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