As I was engaging in the morning routine of fixing breakfast and brewing coffee, I began to contemplate the idea of revising and reconstructing my daily practice routine. Each new year brings with it the possibility for a fresh start, and I felt inspired to consider what areas of my playing I need to address and improve upon.
Lately, I have noticed that while I have been focusing on the quality of my sound, I have not been giving as much attention to intonation and vibrato. Consequently, I have decided to include these elements in my daily scales and arpeggios routine. Additionally, I have come to realize that I have been neglecting the importance of long tone practice, prioritizing articulation and finger techniques instead. However, I now plan to increase the amount of time I spend on long tone exercises, with a specific focus on intonation and vibrato, in order to cultivate a greater understanding of these technical aspects.
Furthermore, I plan to incorporate excerpts and repertoire into my daily routine. Rather than dedicating an extra hour to articulation work, I have been contemplating the idea of practicing passages from my repertoire at a much slower tempo. By doing so, I can focus on the small details of the music and work towards eliminating any mistakes I may be making. My goal is to make my playing as musical as possible, and I believe that if I can execute a passage in the way I desire at a slower tempo, I will be able to do the same at the original tempo with ease.
Lastly, I have recognized the significance of incorporating meditation into my practice and daily routine. It can be challenging to maintain a sense of calm during performances, interactions with audiences, and playing with inspiring colleagues, so I have resolved to include a meditation routine to assist with this. While guided meditation is always helpful, I also plan to focus on my breathing habits as a means of staying calm and centered.