Change is inevitable. Sometimes it’s good change, sometimes it’s bad change. The one thing we can always know is that regardless of whether the change is for better or for worse, there will always be a little of both involved. Change can be moving or starting a new job. It can mean leaving what you know behind or coming home after some time away. Two positive things that change can bring about for music, and maybe for life, are a fresh perspective and concentration boosts.
When you change where you are, your view on things often changes with you. Maybe you go from living 5 hours away from your friends to living down the block again. That’s a totally different perspective and it will also affect your music. Being down the block might inspire you or it might distract you horribly. You’ll have to be ready to compensate for either scenario, because we can neither afford to practice 24/7 because we’re inspired, nor can we afford to ignore our instruments entirely for the sake of spending time with those we love.
Which also leads to concentration. Back during my gap year in 2012-2013 I remember having a conversation with my flute teacher. She asked where I was practicing and, like the distracted-by-masters-auditions twenty-something I was I responded with “at home?” She gently suggested that maybe I find a place to practice that wasn’t home because it could shift my focus, or at least have a dedicated space for my music where I wouldn’t be disturbed.
As we get older, all of that becomes harder. Outside of music school, practice rooms are hard to find. If you live in an apartment, it’s hard to have a dedicated room to your music making. That said, it doesn’t mean you can’t change things up. On a beautiful day, maybe you practice outside. Maybe you create a dedicated space in your room where you practice. Somewhere where, when you are there, you know not to touch your phone.
Writers do this all the time. They’ll either have an office in their home where their family knows they aren’t to be disturbed when working or they’ll go to a coffee shop and write. It’s a little harder for us, but it’s the same principal. A change of scenery can help you concentrate.
Now go make a change for the week.
Happy practicing!
Samantha J. Haake Flute 