Where to Take Out Your Feelings
When I was a young lad of 8 I had a reputation on the playground. Seems I got into ‘scrapes’ with greater frequency than most of the other kids and the teachers had me pegged as something of a bully.
Naturally this was undeserved from my perspective.
You see, I just had a strong sense of justice – still do. And being that I was then bigger than most other kids I was not one to back down. Sometimes this resulted in physical contact, but I always adhered to my father’s admonishment that ‘a gentleman will never throw the first punch.’
‘But,’ he would often continue, ‘if it does come to an exchange of blows, do your utmost to deliver the last.’
And I did indeed try to deliver the last.
It always beat the alternative.
Come third grade, and the beginning of my violin career, my teacher had this to say to my mother.
‘I’m so happy Clayton has something else to work his feelings out on, other than the his school mates.’
I think in some sense she was right to say this, though it certainly took my mother aback.
The violin did afford me a creative way of working through some of the intense emotions that confront any young person.
After all, the violin requires patience and perseverance in the face of challenge – and creativity as well. I mean, you can’t just stake out a position, and challenge the violin to a ‘fist-to-cuff’ when it fails to comply.
One has to be inventive, flexible, and willing to think outside the box.
Not all of this did I grasp as an 8 year old. Even now I am continually challenged to add new tools and insights into my ‘challenge resolving’ toolbox.
Nathan Milstein said toward the end of his career that it takes 60 years to know the violin. Kind of an odd remark coming from a man who was performing public concerts at 11 years of age, don’t you think?
It just goes to show that there is always more to learn.
Though I haven’t 60 years under my belt just yet – 18 left to go – I do have some pretty darned good advice for players of all levels. And there is just one place your going to receive that advice ‘live’ and in person.
It’s on the awe-inspiring grounds of the Biltmore Estate here in Asheville come January and early February. Come fill your challenge-resolving toolbox insights and inspiration that’ll serve you for a long, long time.
All the best,
Clayton Haslop
P.S. You may be surprised to find out just how affordable the Singing Hands Masterclass/Seminar is. In fact, several colleagues tell me that what I ask is too low for the value that’s imparted.
