Poseur to Composer

Yesterday's post is unintentionally funny because I liken practicing scales to watching grass grow while referencing the book Lightning Fast Piano Scales. However, the two metaphors are not in contradiction with each other. The author Zach Evans doesn't promise you'll learn piano scales lightning fast, but that by following his system you'll eventually play lightning fast. The speed training begins in Phase 2 of each piano scale.

Also keep in mind that I don't shill anyone's book or product. I mention Zach's book only because I find it helpful, and it may be of help to others.

Today I practiced using both hands on the C Major scale and didn't even get to the So What intro. Like I said yesterday, playing scales is kind of exciting for me (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) and I'm motivated to earn that first checkmark. My form isn't good though. To prevent a repetitive strain injury (too late for that) I'm supposed to roll the wrists while playing, but it's only complicating matters.

I'll continue to wear my elbow braces and integrate the wrist motion once I get comfortable with the fingering.

Almost forgot...

Time meditated today: 34 minutes Quality of meditation (out of 10): 2

Practicing scales is like watching grass grow.

Some will interpret the above statement to mean "practicing scales is boring / tedious / uneventful / mundane" … something along those lines. And it can be. It depends on one's attitude and expectations coming into this exercise.

Allow me to elaborate.

Last week I started growing cat grass for the first time. I used to buy it and other pet-friendly plants from a local nursery, but they went out of business. My cats have no access to the outdoors so I try to bring the outdoors to them. Since I didn’t know what kit to buy and what would produce the best harvest, I ordered four different kinds. The seeds have been prepared according to instructions and stashed away in various cupboards. I’ve monitored their progress and watering them daily. I must admit, to see dormant seeds sprout young cat grass blades that stretch skyward like a morning yawn has been, well, exciting.

Yes, watching grass grow is exciting! No explosions or special effects required, just add water to witness a miracle unfold.

Practicing scales has brought about a similar excitement. Yesterday I prepared for practice according to instructions found in the ebook Lightning Fast Piano Scales by Zach Evans. Today was my day off work, so I began the first of many scales: C Major. My fingers fumbled and clunked the keys, but after repeated attempts (interspersed with a nap and some casual reading) I can now perform the scale smoothly with my right hand, both forward and backwards.

Then I practiced my left hand. The fingers fumbled and stumbled with the scale, but after several practice sessions the scale can be played smoothly, both ascending and descending.

Tomorrow I practice with both hands. Once I can play the C Major scale ascending and descending with both hands in unison, I move on to Phase 2, then 3, then to the next scale. With daily practice comes more growth, more transformation. That's exciting to me.

I should mention one kit has not shown any growth at all. It may take more time, or different seeds, or a change in soil. I’ll be patient and experiment with it. Likewise, with any scales that may be difficult. A week may not be enough to memorize an awkward succession of keys in both my mind and my hands. We’ll see.

Here is my scales checklist, based on the aforementioned book:

After I learn a scale, I’ll put a checkmark in the Phase 1 column and post it so you can monitor my progress (we'll get to Phases 2 and 3 later, but if you want to know now it's explained in Zach's book).

I’m still working on the C Major scale, but since this scale is so straight forward with no black keys, I hope to have that checkmark in place by the end of week.

Time meditated today: 40 minutes Quality of meditation (out of 10): 4

In an earlier post I shared my pre-practice routine of dark chocolate and herbal tea. It’s what I do to create space from the nine-to-five world and prepare my mind for practice. However yesterday reminded me how seemingly unrelated decisions made during the day can profoundly affect my learning.

To be able to practice wholeheartedly and induce a state of flow, my conscience must be clear. My conduct throughout the day must be in harmony with my Christian values if I'm to be successful in music or any creative endeavor.

Stephen Nachmanovitch in his inspiring book Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art puts it in a similar way:

The creative process is a spiritual path. This adventure is about us, about the deep self, the composer in all of us, about originality, meaning not that which is new, but that which is fully and originally ourselves.

I'm feeling like myself again and look forward to practicing scales tomorrow.

Time meditated today: 38 minutes Quality of meditation (out of 10): 2