multi instrumentalists – how do you do it?

[jessica-yuen]

I play many instruments everyday. I teach piano and violin 6 days a week in my music academy and play all the instruments all the time. (piano, violin, Chinese table harp, and lever harp.) I try to rotate them, like piano and harp one day and violin and table harp the other day, one hour each instruments. I work 12 hours day and I find that I seem to use most of my spare time on practicing all the instruments. Given that I don’t have kids, and my husband is doing his favorite hobby when I’m practicing, this way seems to work well.

[deb-l]

Jessica, your post is well timed.

[jessica-wolff]

Nope, a different Jessica. When I appealed to you not to stop playing the cello, I didn’t mean you should drop the harp in favor of the cello. If it’s a question of family life getting in the way of practice time, explain to the family that you have a deep emotional need to play both instruments and that you need the time to do both of them justice (especially since you say that they’ve teased you in the past).

Incidentally, my daughter was indeed joking. She’s only too happy to have me play the harp instead of the banjo, which she regards as not very classy. That is, of course, why I like it. Well, I mean the earthiness of it.

I play some things on both harp and guitar and others on both guitar and banjo, but hey! no reason I can’t play “Old Joe Clark” on both banjo and harp.

[deb-l]

Jessica, I never intended to drop harp for cello.

[jessica-wolff]

Well, good. The other Jessica’s plan of alternating instruments on alternate days is a good one. If you feel the need to give more time to the cello for a while, then give an hour here and there to the harp–not formal practice, just playing for the fun of it, to keep a hand in. Ultimately I think you’ll really enjoy the two instruments you’ve chosen.

[deb-l]

thanks Jessica, I appreciate the encouragement and support :0)

[jessica-yuen]

Hi Deb and Jessica,

This is the way I get around keeping up with my instruments. It is pretty good so far. When you realize you miss playing one instrument that week, just quickly play a few songs on it and remember to work on that the next week.

It was hard this month while I was finishing my thesis for my master degree. I really had to leave all the instruments alone and stop all my lessons (learning from the harp teacher) Now, I’m done with the thesis (finally submitted yesterday!) and I was playing the harp and my Chinese table harp for a couple hours last night!!!

Jessica

[deb-l]

if I don’t play my harp for at least half hour I feel like the world has beaten me down.

[Author]

Posts