Hmmm…the July entry was on the first of the month. Essentially the beginning of the two months associated with summer. Here I am on the final day of August; typing my August entry. I can’t say I’m a fan of summer, but this summer’s weather made it a little less irritating. Not to go into detail with my feelings about summer, a quick comment could be: “I love teaching guitar. I would love to have more students on my schedule. Too many people look upon summer as a time to cast aside any meaningful pursuits.”
This topic feels a little odd to be discussing now, at the end of a summer season, but I could say:
1) Better late than never.
2) Sometimes hindsight allows us to visualize where we need to move.
3) Everyday is a new beginning.
3a) If everyday allows us to begin again, why not take advantage of our indoor life with the autumn months? This could create a better foundation for next summer.
Many people who live in the north eastern portion of the United States often feel that pull towards the out-of-doors when there is a guarantee of “nice weather” for more than a couple of months. This occurrence can be a good way to lose ground on your instrument. Parents will pull their children from lessons, thus allowing a student to feel the notion that summer/no school equates to “no work” or “no meaningful pursuits (as I referenced above).” I would want people of any age or experience level to recognize they could learn to move forward and manage their time between interior and exterior enjoyment.
Ten years ago (June of 2009), I purchased a small wire bound notebook at Barnes & Noble for the expressed purpose of using a practice journal during the summer months, and beyond. The idea of recording practice routines in a journal was suggested to me in the early 1990s. I engaged in that activity for two days…about two years after it was presented! Yeah, I’m not the best when it comes to physically documenting my own activities. The last practice journal I purchased has not been regularly employed. Reason being: I don’t particularly care for its design. Recognizing this, I know I need a wire bound edge so it will remain open. It needs to be fairly small so it will not take up too much space. Sadly, Barnes & Noble have not stocked this in many years…but, this is a continual pursuit and learning experience. We notice our own traits and behaviors, and advance from that position.
Over the years, I have suggested the concept of involving a practice journal to various students. I could imagine (maybe) two people would have “tried it out” for the part of their tenure as practicing/playing guitarists. Obviously, adding pen & paper to the process implies a greater interest and level of commitment than most people might want to encounter….playing the guitar’s supposed to be easy and cool and fun right? Easy and difficult will shift. Cool and fun are in the eyes, ears, and hands of the beholder.
Also yes, “pen & paper” in lieu of word document or similar. For my first college orientation, a motivational speaker addressed the mass of incoming freshmen, gathered on bleachers, at one end of the gym. Other than his hypnosis schtick, the only other aspect of his presentation that remained in my head (many years later) was his statement of “write it down.” Write our aim/goals on paper. Make it tangible and real, don’t leave it in our head. Once again, this has not been my standard practice but I recognize the benefits.
What do we do with the black on white, tangible account of our practice?
30 minutes of ____exercise___ @ 80bpm
15 minutes of ___arpeggios___@100bpm
Etc., etc.
Perhaps, it’s there to acknowledge the work after completion. Perhaps it’s there to methodically increase speed over the course of week/months/years. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.
Some colleges began their semester last week. Some college will begin this week, alongside the rest of our schools in the north east. If we’re heading into an educational experience with intention, maybe it will be successful.
Alex Kelley 