Accelerate Your Learning

Got an order today from a very busy professional violinist who is looking to increase the rate at which she is able to learn new music.

Let me tell you a little story to shed some light on her concern.

A few months ago I arrived at a session for Mission Impossible III. I was the concertmaster on the project so I opened the book a few minutes before the session to take a look at what was coming. I was shocked to see that the first cue of the day started with some incredibly difficult writing.

My first thought was, ‘Oh no, I don’t think I can learn this before we’re going to be asked to play it.’ Now, as a word of explanation, when your sitting in the section, you can get away with a little schmutz, if you know I mean. When your sitting right under the conductors nose, it’s a very different story.

My next thought was this. ‘Now, just breathe, count, and play.’

The first time through I had to slow way down in a few spots in order to think, speak, breathe and play simultaneously. The second time was noticeably smoother. Several minutes before the conductor’s downbeat, I was laughing at myself for having my first reaction of alarm.

And I felt Totally Awake.

Ok, there is a little more than counting and breathing that goes into doing this. There is also the exquisite need to have highly efficient and relaxed playing habits. In other words, no extraneous movements that you are struggling against.

All this is what ”Kreutzer for Violin Mastery, Vol. 1” is about. I hope the message is clear – like causes produce like results. Do as I do and you too will be eating pages covered in black notes for breakfast.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop