William Fitzpatrick - violin expert

Violin Basics: So do you know about mistakes?

How to deal with mistakes the best way

In this new video of his Violin Basics series, Prof. Fitzpatrick shows you how to solve and fix your mistakes.

Released on February 28, 2024

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DISCLAIMER: The views and the opinions expressed in this video are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Virtual Sheet Music and its employees.

Video Transcription

So the mere thought of making a mistake during a concert can be a daunting prospect for any musician.

We dedicate countless hours to practice, striving to minimize the chance of errors creeping into our performances. Yet is it realistic to expect a flawless, no -mistakes performance? I don't think so.

But I do believe that it's worth exploring, so let's have a look.

Well, having the audacity to try and perform a no -mistakes concert speaks to the mindset rather than an absolute reality.

Striving for perfection can serve as a motivator and provide direction for growth. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that the pursuit of absolute perfection, particularly in the context of having the audacity of no mistakes, can have more negative consequences than positive ones.

Difficult as it is to admit, embracing the reality of mistakes is critical for artistic development.

It's through our errors that we learn, adapt, and evolve as musicians.

Rather than viewing mistakes as setbacks, embrace them.

Embrace imperfections. Learn from errors.

And put your emphasis on delivering performances that show what you feel about the music you're performing.

So can there be a Zen of no mistakes? What could that mean? Well, it could be about fostering a positive and enriching musical journey in our practice sessions.

It could involve being patient and compassionate with ourselves, giving us room for exploration and experimentation without the weight of perfection hanging over us.

And with that, I think it's important to recognize the limitations one puts on themselves when imposing a no -mistakes mentality on oneself.

Allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes.

Learn from them. By embracing the beauty of imperfection in music and in life, you will enhance your evolution as a violinist and as a human being.
Automatic video-to-text transcription by DaDaScribe.com
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Comments, Questions, Requests:

Linda Chene * VSM MEMBER * on February 29, 2024 @4:37 pm PST
It was a nice reassurance but I need to know how to get on with the performance after a mistake or wrong page or forgot. Or ...
Thank you
George Mahida * VSM MEMBER * on February 28, 2024 @1:40 pm PST
Dr Fitz I totally agree with you! We are becoming Whole as human beings and musicians, this means it includes all my brokenness!
Thanks
reply
William - host, on February 28, 2024 @4:11 pm PST
Truly!!! Thanks!!!
Robin * REGISTERED USER * on February 28, 2024 @8:44 am PST
I'm a Folk Fiddler and because of the speed at which we play, mistakes are inevitable, but one has to find a way of not allowing a mistake to affect the flow of the music. When playing for Ceilidh or Barn dancing it is imperative to avoid disrupting the rhythm, otherwise the dancers may end up in a heap in the middle of the dance floor! That would mean no more gigs at that venue! My strategy is to go into accompaniment mode if I forget the tune or lose concentration. I play 2 string chords along with the piano or guitar, often with a 'doo whacka doo whacka' rhythm which fits with reels, or 'diddly diddly', which fits with jigs. Usually, nobody, except the band, notices the difference! The dancers have no idea that disaster has been averted! Just a short addendum, a friend of mine says, 'if you make a mistake, play it again, but louder! Then everyone will think it's intentional!' I don't think so, but the worst thing you can do is stop playing! I'm just listening to a Radio 4 program about Quantum Physics & how things can exist until someone observes them, then they change or disappear. I'll stick to playing the fiddle, that's difficult enough for me! Rob G, Sheffield UK
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William - host, on February 28, 2024 @4:10 pm PST
Excellent!!!!!!!!!
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