The First Move
You already know where to begin.
Six months ago, I wanted to learn the fugue from Beethoven’s String Quartet Opus 131.
The biggest difficulty getting started was the four staves of the score. Being a pianist, I’m used to two. Adding to the challenge, there are voice-crossings among the instruments; and the moveable C-clef gets used throughout, switching from alto to tenor and even mezzo-soprano clef.
There was no way I was going to be able to sight-read this piece. I was going to have to do a painstaking arrangement of it before I could hope to play it musically.
I probably could have started anywhere. I decided to just start with the fugue subject, measure one.
Hina sits down at the piano for the first time with the piece she has dreamed of playing since childhood. The score looks nothing like the music she remembers.
Where to start, she wonders. Agitation in her abdomen surges to her chest and her mind.
After a pause, she answers her overwhelm. Several long grounding breaths, sitting into her seat, feet firmly planted on the floor. She closes her eyes.
Another breath.
She opens her eyes and decides: master the rhythm of the first measure.
She reaches for her colorful box of matches on the table next to her, takes one out, strikes it, and lights the candle there.
Turning back to the piano and the score, she is ready to begin.1
This is what starting looks like.
Find something small enough that you can finish it today. Make it clear enough that you know exactly what it should sound like and feel like in your body every time you play it.
Decide in advance on what a successful attempt looks like, and how many you’re going for.
Figure out how to keep track so you know when you’re done.
Right now, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Imagine your practice space. What is the music there that’s waiting for only you?
The music only you can make is asking you to step in.
When you arrive in that space, you have everything you need.
You are ready to begin.
Hi Paul, I learnt the piano for a year 12 years ago and lost touch. Over the past year, I have started picking it up again to cope with the stress of grad school. it has been quite a rewarding challenge. I am so glad I found your Substack!
Great! Starting with two brief examples to help make your idea clear. Thanks for constantly reminding us the way to successful practice.