A corrected mistake is evidence of progress!

As described in my last post, my November lesson was a bit tough. However, I did show some improvement. While playing "Like a River Glorious", I played a wrong note in the pedal line. I immediately corrected and Michael noticed. This was a big deal. In the past, when playing a wrong note (especially at a lesson), I would freeze, or stop playing, or continue playing with each subsequent note being wrong. Organists will make mistakes. It is likely no one will remember a wrong note (unless it is the first or the last!). This mistake and the correction the followed was a sign of progress!

We all make mistakes. How we handle them can often be more important than the actual mistake. When I play a wrong note [make a mistake] the best option is to quickly correct it and move on. Dwelling on it (freezing until corrected), stopping (giving up completely), and continuing but not fixing it (one mistake leads to another) emphasize the mistake instead of the solution.

What are the best ways you have find to handle mistakes?

 

 

From Awkward to Beneficial

When playing the organ, the organist may be required to use awkward positions of the hand and fingers. In a piece I am currently learning, there are some suggested fingerings. Fingerings are notated above or below the note with a number (or numbers for multiple keys). Each finger is numbered from 1 to 5 with the thumb being #1. In most cases I decided to go with those fingerings in the score. Someone (probably not the composer) felt confident enough in them to have the printed in the score.

This lead to some awkward hand positions for a few measures but I pressed on with them not even considering alternate fingers while practicing. At my last lesson Michael noticed. He suggested a different sequence which was much more comfortable for my hand and would make the section easier to execute. But my muscles only new the awkward way. I had a choice to make: keep playing the key with the awkward fingerings way or make the effort to switch to the suggested more comfortable fingerings.


In life there is often more than one way to accomplish a goal or task. Perhaps we have done it the same way for years. Then we learn of a different way which would be easier or more efficient (or better anyway).  But change can be hard and often requires effort. Some will stick to their old methods and say change is too hard! They would rather remain awkward than make the effort to learn a new way with a beneficial result. Sometimes awkward can be beneficial but not in this example.

I choose to learn those new fingerings and the benefits that came with making the change.


What choice will you make when change is presented in your life?

Dissonance

Sometimes, while playing a piece during a lesson, I suddenly stop and hold a chord and ask Michael "Does that sound right?" To me, the sound resulting from these notes being played sounds wrong. I feel like I must be pushing a wrong pedal or key. In reality, these notes are being played correctly and are dissonant.

Dissonance is when the combination of 2 or more notes sound off or wrong. Dissonance has it purposes and will usually resolve pleasantly. During my last lesson, Michael explained that I need to trust the composer when I hear dissonance as the composer intentionally included it. If I were to keep playing, instead of freezing I would hear the resolution. 

This conversation reminded me of problems in life. Our problems are like dissonance. Just as dissonant notes sound wrong, our problems can be (and usually are) troubling (otherwise they would not be problems). God, the composer of our lives, can be trusted to help resolve our problems (in His way, of course).  Sometimes, we make up our own notes, instead of playing those that God intended for us, which can lead to even more problems.

It would seem fitting to end this post with a trust Bible verse. I have been a Christian since a young age, but I'm struggling to remember a trust God verse at the moment. Instead of copying/pasting a random verse, feel free to insert your favorite "trust" Bible verse here or visit Bible Gateway and search on trust.

My mom likes this verse: Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.     Proverbs 3:5-6

What is your favorite trust verse?

Life Lessons from Organ Lessons

In March, I will be writing about life lessons taken from the organ bench. Sound strange? There have been a number of instances during an organ lesson where the problem I'm facing and (usually the solution) could also be applied to life. For example, dealing with dissonance... Wondering what dissonance is? Check back in March to find out!