Getting angry.
Yelling.
Crying.
Walking away.
Quitting.
Maybe throwing things.
Trying the same thing over and over again even though it's still not working.
This is just a short list of how people generally handle frustration, in music and in life.
But there is another way. A way to make frustration your best friend and greatest tool.
It's so simple that you likely won't believe it. But, please try it. I think you will be surprised.
Ready? Here it is. (cue drum roll)
When you start feeling frustrated, use that as your body's signal that it's time to try something different.
(dramatic silence)
So often, we end up trying the same things that clearly aren't working. When we ignore frustration's signals, that's when things start to go south.
But if we take that urge to do our best Hulk impression and turn it into a signal to change our approach, amazing things can happen.
I will leave you with some examples.
If you're working on four measures of a new piece and you get frustrated, try breaking it down into two-measure sections...or slow it down.
If you can't get into your online banking, don't try it a dozen times after it doesn't work the second time. Contact technical support instead.
If your co-worker isn't getting the hint to stop using your coffee cup at work by "accident," try writing him a clear message inside a kindly-written card. A hand-made one, yet.
Frustration used properly can change the world.
[…] can and should be used as a tool. But it is not what practicing is about. Misguided frustration leads to […]