frustration not

I used to get really frustrated trying to work on a piece, not being able to play it, and just playing it awfully. I'd quit my practice a lot in a frustrated state.

That's not happening these days. I'm just slowing it down and it makes it work. I really can play it better the next day. I'm working the passage and the area around it. I'm working the piece and hitting it each day. I'm not taking on too much, but I'm playing quite a bit, working out of three books simultaneously, but two or three things from each book.

I like it a lot. Frustration goes nowhere because it makes you play worse, so it's this vicious feedback loop. Plus what's the point of feeling bad about yourself? None. None that I can see.

Having frequent lessons is great, too, because my feedback is coming quickly and I have motivation right in front of me to work on my material. Wow, if I can play it well in my lesson! Great if I get a couple of pieces marked off and the next ones marked to play!

I told Rick that if he doesn't have his low brass section, I can fill in for him for his summer pops concert, maybe not make all of the rehearsals. It's really a gruesome rehearsal schedule and I know it's kind of designed for the kids, returning from vacation and headed off into school. It's every evening for two weeks. OUCH.