Who Breathes Music

Before I get started I’d like to thank all of you for the wonderful notes of last week. Truly heartwarming and inspiring to read.

At the recital of last Friday, I believe my playing reached some wonderful heights. In the weeks leading up to it I had a daunting challenge to overcome. The ‘dystonia’ in my left hand was fierce.

Finally, on Monday last, I reached the fevered pitch necessary to pierce through the lastest blockage. I won’t say the rest of the week was easy, but I knew from that point that I was NOT going to let anything prevent me from speaking powerfully with my violin on Friday.

After the performance I had dinner with the attendees of the weekend’s master class – I’ll talk more about what we accomplished over our days together tomorrow.

I believe it was difficult for them to comprehend how much I’d gone through leading up to the event. The point of even discussing it with them – and with you now – however, was to underscore my belief that what I am capable of, ANYONE is capable of.

I am special only in understanding of what must be done to produce results. That is, in fact, the only reason any of you reading this should bother to continue doing what I say.

You know, I could’ve blown this recital off quite easily. The publicity was very light for it, and the tickets sold could easily have been refunded. I confess to having thought of it MANY times during the ‘dark weeks’, when the fingers of my left hand seemed to actively defy instruction.

But something in me just wouldn’t accept that outcome.

Going through this ultimately raised my game, not only from the standpoint of playing, but also, and more importantly to me now, from the standpoint of understanding what I have to offer as a teacher.

In the process I had to go even deeper into the tools and techniques I’ve used for success previously. My appreciation for what breathing properly, visualizing with intention, and playing with a pure understanding of playing fundamentals can do for one is greater than ever.

I don’t understand how the issue with my hand came to be, but I sure as heck know how to prevent it from stopping me in reaching my violin goals.

Bottom line is this, the violin is perhaps the most multi-faceted activity a human can engage in. And I think I have some valuable insights to offer in the practice of it.

Over the weekend several people ordered ‘Kreutzer for Violin Mastery’, all 4 volumes. They are getting a program that will serve them well for many years, if they apply themselves to it.

If you haven’t already done so you can reap the same benefits at http://www.violinmastery.com/kreutzer.htm

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. An even higher level of violinistic problem solving may be found in the practice of Paganini. My one-of-a-kind course pierces through the challenges found in 8 of his Capricen.