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Tue, 21 Nov 2000 11:34:51 -0600 |
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Great question. Everybody burns out at some point in their playing life.
The key is to change your routine(s), at least temporarily. Here are some
strategies that I've heard of - 1, 2 and 7 have worked for people I know.
1. Take a 3-4 week vacation from playing (anything!)
2. If your playing is 90% solo; find compatible ensembles or a partner to
play with - or if your playing is in an ensemble, work on solo performance.
3. Play great folk and pop songs STRAIGHT for a while - concentrate on
the melody, phrasing and basic harmony - no improvised solos, no altered
chords, no extra ornamentation, no rhythmic rearranging etc. (You might
check out the last Keith Jarrett recording.)
4. Start learning a new instrument or (if you don't compose already) start
composing.
5. If you play at home all the time, get out in front of some audiences;
if most of your playing is for audiences - spend more time at home playing
for yourself.
6. Arrange some arias for piano - again, play them pretty straight.
7. Talk with a good therapist about music and things in general.
Reid McLean / [log in to unmask]
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