How I Practice

Yesterday was a day for seeing the Scottish landscape. From our digs at the base of picturesque Loch Lomond we drove north along it’s western shore; then we bore north-west over the rugged and dramatic mountains that separate the interior from the sea; and finally, we tumbled down to Loch Fyne and drove it’s northern shoreline to Castle Inveraray, home to the Dukes of Argyll.

Castle’s, medieval watchtowers, and quaint loch-side towns delighted the eye along the way.

Of course my sightseeing excursion, inspiring as it was, is not the topic of today’s newsletter.

The art of practicing is a deep and nuanced subject. It encompasses the building technique and endurance, as well as the formation of musical interpretations and the mastery of repertoire.

Along the way one must deal with issues of fingering, bowing, the stylistic demands of each composer, and the process of memorization.

And the question I hear most frequently from people who seek my advice is; ‘How do I make the best use of my practice time?’

Well, I think I have a new and innovative way to deal with all of the above. In just about 20 weeks from now I will be presenting a full public recital here in Asheville. The program will be identical to Milstein’s last concert, given as it was 20 years ago.

What I am going to do is video myself preparing for this concert from scratch, the day I return to the states. Next week I will give you the details on how you can tune in to this process and observe EXACTLY how I practice and prepare.

In fact, as I practice I will be speaking my exact thoughts as they come to me so you will understand my reasons for doing all I do.

Needless to say, this will place me in a highly vulnerable position. I will be completely out of shape when I return, and I will be studying a few works for this recital that I have never played. You will see it all.

So, stay tuned for details on this.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. Will this open window onto my practice sessions replace take the place of Kreutzer for Violin Mastery or Paganini for Violin Virtuosity, Vol. 1? Absolutely not. They will give you a wonderful context for appreciating and digesting what comes out in the practice sessions.