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Rhythm and flow

It's a catch-22 situation, I explained to my friend. If you haven't practised in awhile, you don't sound so good. So you don't feel like practising because you don't want to hear yourself.

It's hard to practise indoors when the English summer shows itself outdoors.

Today I woke up late, having spent the previous night making mixed berry jam and blackberry/apple crumble. So I stayed in bed wondering if I should rush to the Pilates class at 10:30 am or have a lie in. Then my conscience got the better of me. I should get up and practise piano. But the weather was just perfect for sitting outside. Plus I've got a few phone calls to make. By the time I "woke up", I was in no mood to practise piano. One thing led to another, and I didn't get going until 3 pm.

I put the kettle on and went to the piano. Just when I was getting into it, I had to stop to make tea. Then I had to drink it before it got cold. I sat down again to play. A telephone call interrupted my practice. I got up and paced.

After several days of trying to get into a routine, I was still having to decide how I should spend my mornings, afternoons, and evenings. My gym classes are in the mornings, but I never seem to be able to get up early enough for those. The sun shines nicely for practise in the morning to no later than 5 pm. Excuses, excuses, excuses.....

Today at 6 pm I finally got into the rhythm and flow, after playing several arpeggio-driven melodic pieces. I was trying to create a medley of well-known 2nd movements of piano concertos.

Getting into a routine to avoid having to make so many decisions or having the freedom to cheat - yes that's what I'm trying to do now. And then my piano playing will really flow with the rhythm!

22 August 2002 Thursday

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