- Don’t constantly compare yourself to others
- Don’t deify the composers, professional musicians or the music
- Don’t set yourself unrealistic targets – this can lead to over-practising, stress, tension and physical injury
- Choose repertoire which you enjoy playing, not because someone said “you should learn this!”
- Don’t blindly follow the advice of teachers, colleagues or friends. Be questioning and inquisitive. One person’s method may not suit you.
- Enjoy and appreciate the positive endorsements of teachers, colleagues and friends
- Cut yourself some slack: you don’t have to practise every day, you don’t have to use Hanon exercises just because Joe Bloggs next door does.
- People are not necessarily “better”, just “more advanced”
- Remember that even top flight professional artists suffer from anxiety and stress. They are just better at dealing with it!
- Enjoy your music. Play, listen, go to concerts, share music with friends.
Frances Wilson via The Cross-Eyed Pianist
(Source: crosseyedpianist.com, via drowsybun)
