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I went to a solo viola recital tonight by one of my students. It's rare I get invited to an event by a student, and I'm super glad I went. Her project team was there, too. It's so wonderful to see a team coming together. I feel like my class helps make their lives richer when that happens.
The first piece was just solo, and she had one accompaniest for the other 3 pieces. Normally when I go to a concert I'm occupied in observing the interplay of the instruments. Tonight I mostly had her to look at and listen to. And let me tell you, the range of that viola isn't as big as you'd think. Which is to say, I found it a little tiresome. I wasn't bored, which is interesting considering it was tiresome. The reason it was tiresome is that I kept trying to train my focus on her playing and thoughts kept intruding. Of little things I notice on the stage, in the room, of what I'll say to her later about the recital, and then my thoughts branch off into memories of old friends or plans for Brazil or self-talk about how I need to learn to pay attention and also me observing myself struggling to pay attention. Lots and lots of head stuff, but sort of the opposite of meditating because instead of trying to empty my mind I was trying to fill it.
The first piece was just solo, and she had one accompaniest for the other 3 pieces. Normally when I go to a concert I'm occupied in observing the interplay of the instruments. Tonight I mostly had her to look at and listen to. And let me tell you, the range of that viola isn't as big as you'd think. Which is to say, I found it a little tiresome. I wasn't bored, which is interesting considering it was tiresome. The reason it was tiresome is that I kept trying to train my focus on her playing and thoughts kept intruding. Of little things I notice on the stage, in the room, of what I'll say to her later about the recital, and then my thoughts branch off into memories of old friends or plans for Brazil or self-talk about how I need to learn to pay attention and also me observing myself struggling to pay attention. Lots and lots of head stuff, but sort of the opposite of meditating because instead of trying to empty my mind I was trying to fill it.