tG
Scott Tennant's Practicing Philosophy
@ tonebase Guitar
04/30/21
Takeaways
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
I started organizing my time to practice less but achieve more, which I encourage my students to do as well.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
If I can't sit down for a long practice session, I use short moments, like five minutes between lessons, to address specific issues on the guitar.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
My definition of practice is problem-solving; I focus on one problem until I fix it instead of just playing through pieces without purpose.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
I set a timer for my practice sessions to ensure focused work without distractions, allowing me to achieve specific goals during that time.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
At the end of the week, even if I only practiced an hour a day, I often find I've made significant progress on a specific issue, which is more fulfilling than just playing casually.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
I separate practice from playing for enjoyment; mixing the two can lead to insecurities during performances, so I keep them distinct. When I practice, I'm problem-solving rather than just playing.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
I take a technical challenge away from the page and create exercises around it, so the music doesn't become the exercise in my head.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
I balance repertoire and technique in the same session, focusing on technical issues until I resolve them.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
I have a pre-performance philosophy where I avoid using the word 'nervous' and instead use 'excited' to change my mindset.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
Two hours before a concert, I take a nap and generally avoid playing a lot on the day of the performance to prevent overexertion.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
Leo Brouwer advised that on the day of a concert, one should just be happy, which shifted my perspective on performance.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
I no longer think of sharing music in terms of performance; it's about sharing how I feel about music with others.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
As I've matured, I tend to play music I genuinely enjoy more, rather than just what I feel obligated to play.
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Scott Tennant
04/30/21
@ tonebase Guitar
Being happy in general helps me approach concerts with a positive mindset, focusing on sharing music rather than performance pressure.