As spring break approaches, one could easily succumb to the lure of sloth and a whole lot of netflix. Instead of binge watching episodes of Dance Moms, are there ways one could view break in the flow of school and work? I know I often fall victim to "I'VE WORKED HARD ENOUGH I DESERVE TO DO WHATEVER I WANT WHENEVER I WANT ALWAYS, MOM" syndrome, but maybe by taking advantage of the time given to us, this break can help buffer the absurd workload that hits us when we return. Maybe by exploring things interesting and semi related to your practices, you might be able to develop a new view on the thing's we're studying in school. Another way to connect, etc.
Try something new! Do yoga! Read! Experiment new ways with practicing that you may not have the leisure to do when school is in session.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSz1PIssmJg
I agree that trying new things and doing productive, exploratory productive things is awesome. Although when it comes to binge-watching TV shows and relative sloth and whatnot (which I don't do all that often), I think it's okay in moderation. When I do something leisurely and not entirely related to work and music, I like to think that whatever I'm doing (provided it's not total crap) will eventually inform my work and life and inspire me. After all, everything we do is in the same world, and our work and non-work take place in the same life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily in her comment that many things are okay in moderation. I think that spring break is a well deserved break for all of us DePauw students, but we shouldn't neglect our responsibility to practice. Over break I'm going to the Bahamas - where it will be very hard to practice - but I'm doing many different things that I've never tried before. Like Emily said above, I think taking some risks and getting out of my comfort zone will somewhat inspire me.
ReplyDeleteOver the break I was very tempted to just lock myself in my room and watch a ton of netflix and sleep all the time. Instead I took advantage of the amazing cultural experiences NYC has to offer. Last saturday when I landed at LaGuardia airport, I received a text from my friend from summer camp, Emily. She was performing in a chamber concert at the Juilliard pre-college. I decided to go and support her. The performance was fantastic. Besides being involved with music, I love visual art and over the break I spent lots of time in the Metropolitan Museum of art.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of practicing, I did bring my oboe home, but I didn't spent a significant amount of time practicing. I think I brought home just in case I had time to practice between all the other things I was doing. Although I didn't practice as much as I would have liked I didn't binge watch TV all day, I took advantage of spending time with friends and family, and the amazing things to do in NYC.
Over break I didn't do a ton of practicing because I was traveling a lot and hosting people at my house, but in the time alone that I did have to practice and reflect on music I found that even if I wasn't directly practicing I could be writing for my English homework and be inspired or interested in something that would tie back into my music and practicing. Super interesting!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about the fact that I have a lesson in the morning, I realize how little I practiced over break! I did play my violin but I didn't spend hours in a room doing the goal oriented practicing. I played through a lot of my old repertoire that my Dad loves. I also sang with my church's youth choir last Sunday. My sister Chanelle also played the piano while my brother and I sang. I loved doing these music activities because it reminded me of why I love music. Sometimes music school is stressful and so the musical moments at home reminded me of why I really love music.
ReplyDeleteAs I practiced over break I didn't really sing much, that was new for me. Instead I did a lot of mental practicing and speaking. I practiced rhythms and tried to invision what my performance would be like... I think it helped a lot
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