I've always loved the above quote. For years I had a calligraphy of it on a post card strategically placed so that I would be reminded of the simple power of a smile to change conditions for myself and others. This was good for a man who took himself far too seriously. Last week I stumbled upon the quote again, while taking a break from practicing. When I returned to the guitar I smiled at her, hoping for improved results I suppose.
While playing that day the thought arose - let your hands smile at the guitar. Something must have shifted because I wrote this on a post-it and attached this to my music stand. Today I was struggling with a section of the piece Senseless Loss that I hope to record on Wednesday. Forgetting that the metronome is my friend, I was becoming frustrated. I don't like wearing headphones listening to the beat, but I was working with simulating the conditions in which I will record. Then I saw the post-it.
A bit of the tension in my hands dissolved, and that was when I knew I needed a break. Hitting the floor for an Alexander Technique lie down, I let my body to unwind a bit. I visualized the chord changes that were hanging me up. Returning to the guitar with a smile in my hands I worked a bit more. With a softer forgiving attitude this time. Smiling as I noticed that the conditions of the world had changed.
Photo by istolethetv
Great reminder. When I 'let my body smile with the dog' we have much better training sessions
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. As always. Thank you.
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