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Me, to a guy on the audition committee: "So, do you have any comments for me?"
Committee guy: "Yeah. Phil, you played just about a perfect audition today."
Me: "Thanks, but what was wrong?"
Committee guy: "You sounded like you were playing notes in time and space."
Me: (long pause, puzzlement, and dismay, followed by a miserable woe-is-me trip home).
Evidently, I checked the accuracy box pretty well in the audition but failed to generate any or enough musical excitement to satisfy the judges. Especially for a principal position, there is the expectation that someone will simply blow them away, not just with accuracy, but with dazzling musicality. And that was what the committee had been hoping to hear that dismal day.
So, lesson learned! My long-lost agenda was refreshed, albeit painfully:
We win when we play more than just notes in time and space. It's also much more fun!
The next time you play, consider that you are entering your own personal mistake-free zone! Consequently, all sloppy boring playing will automatically be transformed into a flawlessly stunning performance, even as you warm up. Wouldn't that be nice!
Upon entering your zone, you have become King Midas turning every phrase into pure gold! Out of your trumpet bell proceeds accuracy and amazing musicianship. Not a single note is tarnished.
Instead of panic, fear, and hesitation, you are confidently playing with finesse and style. The trumpet is now singing like a famous opera diva.
"Our passion for playing beautifully must exceed our fear of missed notes." A fantasy? No. This mindset of artistry plus accuracy is key to a mistake-free and boring-free zone. Admittedly this is NOT possible but is a worthy pursuit that replaces uninspired drudgery with a new challenge.
As one maestro charged us just before the concert, "Your performance tonight must be ravishing!"
Note: I see this mindset also in light of a scriptural perspective. Speaking of the future city in Revelation 21 it says, "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life."
In Matthew 6 it also says, ". . . lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Don't think, oh no! I better not make a mistake! Instead, think, here's my chance to play something exciting and beautiful. The goal is elegance, power, finesse, phrasing, and quality of notes. The audience MUST be interested! Both style AND control are expected. This mindset will start to repel fear, hesitancy and sloppiness as you practice. Every note matters.
Amazing playing is useless if it is badly flawed. Likewise, immaculate control is not as impressive as attention-getting style. Not everyone seeks to excel at this. It's a challenging but rewarding pursuit and helps tremendously in recording sessions! It begins not on stage, but every day in the practice room. Goal: eliminate boring playing and mistakes!
