I have been practicing all twenty-four Chopin Etudes, as well as the twenty-four Preludes and Fugues in J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier Book I. Simply put, Chopin is a physical challenge, and Bach mental. Working on technical and mental difficulties at the piano everyday, I gain perspective and insights into the challenges we are facing in this world.
Embracing Challenges Read More »
When you focus entirely on a challenge, your body tenses up, you stop breathing, and you become myopic in your perspective. This is good for a short-term, momentary exertion, but it is not sustainable. You lose perspective of the context of the challenge. You lose sight of everything else but the challenge itself. In a way, this is irresponsible.
Paying Attention to Little Things Read More »
In the Middle Ages, when few people were literate, they still needed to record events, such as marriage and negotiations between powerful families, etc. According to neurobiologist Dr. James L. McGrough, they would take a child of about seven years of age to such events. They would have these children observe the event, and then throw the child into a river. This becomes a trauma, cementing the memory of events leading up to the trauma.
Pat Yourselves on the Back! Read More »
I am making a suggestion in this entry. Why don’t we make our resolution for next year, now? I have a reason for saying this based on my musical practice, and neuroscience. Bear with me. I will explain.
Your Resolution for 2021? Read More »
Please take a big breath in as you raise your shoulders to your ears, and drop them as you breath out completely. End smile, even if you have to force, and sing. You can hum to yourself, or really sing out loud. Any song. Too much focus on the source of the stress can be destructive. It can lead to an excess induction of the stress hormones and adrenaline, undermining your executive functions.
The Show Must Go On! Read More »