Yes! I have been taking piano lessons for the last year and a half as a total beginner- at my first recital my piece went off the rails and I remember at one point I just paused and then tried to carry on. I kept thinking of how I could just start the piece over but that's not what I'd been taught to do- I was taught to just keep going and that everyone would move past the mistake. Last year, I saw one of my all-time favorite musicians and it was clear she was quite nervous during the show and she, like Andrew Bird, decided to start the song over. She even shook her body out some to get the nerves out and then just started it over and it was great. It was such an encouragement to me, but it also didn't feel strange at all! In fact, I found it quite endearing! I have been too nervous to do another piano recital, but if I do one again, I will just start over if I need to, teacher's advice be damned!
Okay, firstly, that's amazing about the piano lessons. Learning an instrument as an adult is HARD. And I totally get that about going off the rails. I work part-time as a piano accompanist and midway through Ave Maria once my brain just shorted out. I know that piece cold, but I totally froze and couldn't come back from it. Luckily the singer was a pro and managed to land the plane without me! But I can completely relate to this. The only relief is knowing it happens to everyone!
I absolutely need to encourage my niece to make a mud volcano in the yard because we are that type of goblin who finds beauty in the mess.
Likewise she’s been unknowingly reteaching me the importance of making “mistakes.”
I like to point out to artists earlier in their journey, lamenting over forgetting a detail, that the Mona Lisa has no eyebrows and most people don’t realize it.
This was an excellent read. Thank you for writing it. 💕
Love everything about this post. I also had a jaw-drop moment when I learned, via a Rick Rubin podcast, that if you're not happy with your art ("gone off the rails"), it basically means you're not yet finished with the piece. I just wrote a post about how I used to rip "imperfect" pages from my sketchbooks. Our imperfections & messes are what make us unique- we need to embrace them.
Do you know what episode that was possibly? It sounds like a great listen and I'd love to hear that. We've turned into such an airbrushed society; mistakes really are a lifeline to reality.
That seems to be pretty much how Elon Musk runs his rocket ship ventures. Explode, explode, crash, abort liftoff, try again, get a little better.
I see how many weeks Atomic Habits has been at the top of the Amazon lists, and I know this 1% improvement every day idea must be hitting a nerve. Real people know instant gratification is quite rare.....
I wonder sometimes if social media has turned up the pressure to make more/faster/with less imperfections. No one's life looks that pristine, but it's hard when that's the message being unintentionally transmitted. We're all works in progress, thankfully.
Yes, also, the ability to buy things rather than needing to make them has reduced the necessity to accept our imperfect creations. Everyone cooked, baked, sewed, gardened, and did handwork when I was young.
I think, maybe build another actual backyard volcano, let it explode, get it out of your system. Then get on with drawing.
I'm very tempted to go outside and do this right now...
"Dan made me do it..."
"You can course correct. You can start over. You can make mistakes, learn from them and move forward."
I enjoyed every bit of this entry, but this part was especially needed. Thank you. A bright reminder! Happy mistaking to you!
Thanks for the kind words about that ❤️
Yes! I have been taking piano lessons for the last year and a half as a total beginner- at my first recital my piece went off the rails and I remember at one point I just paused and then tried to carry on. I kept thinking of how I could just start the piece over but that's not what I'd been taught to do- I was taught to just keep going and that everyone would move past the mistake. Last year, I saw one of my all-time favorite musicians and it was clear she was quite nervous during the show and she, like Andrew Bird, decided to start the song over. She even shook her body out some to get the nerves out and then just started it over and it was great. It was such an encouragement to me, but it also didn't feel strange at all! In fact, I found it quite endearing! I have been too nervous to do another piano recital, but if I do one again, I will just start over if I need to, teacher's advice be damned!
Okay, firstly, that's amazing about the piano lessons. Learning an instrument as an adult is HARD. And I totally get that about going off the rails. I work part-time as a piano accompanist and midway through Ave Maria once my brain just shorted out. I know that piece cold, but I totally froze and couldn't come back from it. Luckily the singer was a pro and managed to land the plane without me! But I can completely relate to this. The only relief is knowing it happens to everyone!
I absolutely need to encourage my niece to make a mud volcano in the yard because we are that type of goblin who finds beauty in the mess.
Likewise she’s been unknowingly reteaching me the importance of making “mistakes.”
I like to point out to artists earlier in their journey, lamenting over forgetting a detail, that the Mona Lisa has no eyebrows and most people don’t realize it.
This was an excellent read. Thank you for writing it. 💕
Thank you :-) And happy mud volcano making!
Love everything about this post. I also had a jaw-drop moment when I learned, via a Rick Rubin podcast, that if you're not happy with your art ("gone off the rails"), it basically means you're not yet finished with the piece. I just wrote a post about how I used to rip "imperfect" pages from my sketchbooks. Our imperfections & messes are what make us unique- we need to embrace them.
Do you know what episode that was possibly? It sounds like a great listen and I'd love to hear that. We've turned into such an airbrushed society; mistakes really are a lifeline to reality.
Sorry but I don't even remember which episode it was-- it was awhile ago! Maybe I read it in his book?!
No worries! :-) I need to add his book to my to read list.
That seems to be pretty much how Elon Musk runs his rocket ship ventures. Explode, explode, crash, abort liftoff, try again, get a little better.
I see how many weeks Atomic Habits has been at the top of the Amazon lists, and I know this 1% improvement every day idea must be hitting a nerve. Real people know instant gratification is quite rare.....
I wonder sometimes if social media has turned up the pressure to make more/faster/with less imperfections. No one's life looks that pristine, but it's hard when that's the message being unintentionally transmitted. We're all works in progress, thankfully.
Yes, also, the ability to buy things rather than needing to make them has reduced the necessity to accept our imperfect creations. Everyone cooked, baked, sewed, gardened, and did handwork when I was young.