I agree with the above, but would add something that helped me getting back into shape after a break. I did lots of slow practise on basic exercises, and although I played slow, I brought the fingers in very fast to quicken them up again. I relaxed after each note, and exaggerated the speed of my placing. Lickety split lightening placing, but slow playing. Same with raising, I exaggerated the fall back onto the strings and placed very quick – “splat” onto the string. Chordal exercises, where you play wide chords and fall onto the strings in one block I found useful too. Also quick alternating (flat) chords with lots of wrist action away from the strings.

The Daily Dozen

I have several bad habits that I’m working on….they have plagued me for years. Posture. Rhythm. Elbows up. “Dig in” the fingers at the same time with correct placement. Rhythm. Did I say Rhythm?

Hmm, I have a truck load of bad habits too, an out of control pinkie finger on my left hand, chocolate and red wine to name a few….also laughing out loud when students hit clangers!

I also have a habit of playing in furry socks in winter, and the ends of them get caught in the pedal slots when you go into flat!

I thought chocolate already was one of the five food groups…

1. Chocolate, 2. Cereal, 3. Doughnuts, 4. Beer, and

Hmmm. Yes.

Unfortunately my teacher refuses to acknowledge my “quirks”, such as letting my thumbs droop to my knees when concentrating on where the &(*Y***$(($## that high G is, as charming.

Well, dark chocolate had anti oxidants, and so does red wine (I do not drink beer) and red wine also lowers cholesterol….and cheese, well cheese cake is a definite essential of life…as is chocolate and hazelnut mud cake…yum!

Personality quirks, yes, I agree they are charming and an essential to a balanced life – all