How Steady and Calm His Eyes Were

I don’t often watch football, but I certainly wasn’t good for much else yesterday. Had one of those food-born 24 hours bugs. And boy did it ‘shiver me timbers.’ Literally.

Through the fog of body aches, chills, and intestinal ‘activity’, however, I did manage to retain a couple images from the two games. Number one, the Green Bay fans. Those folks turned out in truly sub-zero weather (wind chill made it below –20 degrees F) to support their team. What dedication.

And then there were the players. Linesmen with bare arms, quarterbacks without gloves, all playing to the top of their game.

Awesome.

But the single most impressive guy I watched yesterday played in the first game – field temp was only about 0 degrees in that one.

His name is Laurence Maroney, and he’s the running back for the New England Patriots.

Courtesy of the remarkable camera coverage, we got up close and personal with him many times in the replays of his spectacular runs with the football.

What I saw was this; a guy in top condition, absolutely prepared, secure in the vision of what he wanted to accomplish, yet utterly relaxed and in the moment.

I could see the relaxation in his eyes even when two or Three defenders seemed to have him clearly in their sights. Without fail Maroney held to his vision, allowed just the right response to inform his body, and rushed for 3, 5, or even 10 yards more than what looked humanly possible.

This is the way to approach an audition or performance. It takes discipline and it must be practiced. If you want to perform well in the most adverse of circumstances you need staying power and focus.

So, each time you ‘put it out there’, put out your maximum. Get in your maximum playing condition. Do the maximum of preparation. Spend time away from the violin visualizing your performance, breathing and smiling through each piece of music on the program.

And resolve to perform in the moment. That is, listen to the music coming out of the violin and respond generously and creatively to it.

Yesterday I received an email from a gal who, in a recent performance, started out great but then suffered from an attack of nerves mid-way through. I, myself, have had personal experience with this not uncommon occurrence.

Now I know about the ‘delayed nerve attack’ and I steel myself against it. I simply won’t allow my self-consciousness to bushwhack me that way.

It’s all a matter of preparation, really. Take what you were shown in recent performances as a positive. See how you will manage your thoughts and awareness in the next one.

And then get back out there. It’s the only you’ll grow as an artist.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. Now if sheer technical and practice know-how is what you need, I’ve got some great programs for you. First and foremost among them is my best selling Kreutzer for Violin Mastery. Your copy is waiting for you right now!