Dig Deep!

I am a piano teacher for those who don't know, and I love it!  I have the best students on the planet hands down - and have learned so much from them.  Sometimes we learn other lessons, not just music - but our own personal analysis of life's gems.  One of the things I'm always in their face about (and every single one can attest to this) is not only playing the correct notes, but playing whatever piece (even warm-ups) as beautiful as possible.  The technique of playing beautiful, with feeling - dynamics - patience - grandeur - gentless, lifting the keys not pushing - playing only with the fingers not the heaviness of the hand - implementing louds & softs - tempo - passion - as if telling a story with every single note, immediately takes them from a beginner level to advanced. A voice coach also taught me:

"How you practice is how you perform."

A good practice = a good habit = a great performance.  Attribute that to living life as well. There my friends, is one of the main secrets in knowing HOW to play, not just what to play.

I often refer to Celine Dion as an example on just how to do this.  She was contracted with Caesars Palace in Las Vegas - to perform every single day for 5 years.  I'll ask my student's: "How would you feel, having to go out on stage and perform every single day - if you felt like it or not - ... knowing that the audience is expecting perfection from you - and for some, it might be the first time they've ever seen you perform?" ... "Don't you think that she - everyday - had to dig deep inside her, to find that passion, the energy, her Light to give the amazing performaces she did every single time?" 
This, is how I try to teach them to play, and to learn to love music. 

One of my most favorite scenes in the movie about Beethoven called: "Immortal Beloved" is when Beethoven is in a room teaching one of his students.  He is sitting across the room in a chair - and by this time is almost completely deaf - yet, he KNEW "how" she was playing the piece because of her sloppy attitude, posture and hand placement - he could also "feel" it.  Beethoven stands up, walks across the room, closes the lid on the piano keys - and with fire in his eyes looks at her and with gritted teeth says: "How dare you pound out the keys and not take into consideration the sensitivity of every single note?!!!"

That was such an enlightening moment for me, and has been a successful tool for me in teaching as well - though my eyes are not flaming and my teeth are not gritted when I teach this concept! : )  I've also mentioned to them, learning how to play "every single note" with beauty, and passion, does not only apply to piano - but to life itself.  That on the days we don't "feel like doing it" we must dig deep to bring out what is within.  To live our life with passion and a grand performance - so we may shine forth with our Light to the world.

What is your passion?  When you really dig deep, what do you bring forth - not only for the world, but for yourself?  Is it a hobby?  A talent? Do you like to write - travel - serving others - your family?  Is it love for music - art - photography?  What is it that gets you out of bed day after day ... putting one foot in front of the other?  Do you even know?

Today, dig deep.  Discover just what it is that gives you passion for life. 

If you don't know, take yourself on a treasure hunt to find it. 
Listen to different genres of music that you haven't before.  Walk thru an art gallery - a botanical garden - thumb thru traveling, decorating, sport's magazines - pick up your camera and start clicking away.  Sit down and write out your thoughts, or perhaps your life story.  Who know's ... it might turn into something much bigger than what's in your journal that you can bless the world with.  Take a spur-of-the-moment drive around town or to the mountains, the beach - discover something about yourself and the place that you can add to your puzzle pieces of the grand masterpiece of your life's passion.  Read a biography about someone who contributed something good to the world. Go to a school or visit the elderly and read a book to them.  Try a new recipe that you've never attempted before ... dig deep, and don't stop digging.  Find your passion.  And remember "every single note" in life matters.  Perform it with "feeling."  Find what your notes are and live them with ferver and enthusiasm!  Why?  Because you were meant to shine for the world.  And in doing so, bring joy into your heart and soul.

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." - Nelson Mandela

p.s.... it's STILL raining!!!