Yes, I’m back. Coming back. Slowly.
Fri – 32 min
Sat – 40 min
Sun – off
Mon – 40 min
Tue – 45 min
I plan to stick at 45 min with 1 or 2 days off this week, then add a second daily session next week, beginning with 10 minutes and building up to 45 in 5 minute increments. Right now I’m not practicing music so much as practicing playing, checking in with my body nearly continuously, keeping all excess tension at bay. I have to say, that part of things is going exceptionally well; the long break seemed to give me time to incorporate those physical habits I worked so hard to develop last year.
I must be channeling Emily’s muse, because I found I am already following her prescription for coming back after a break. My scale of choice is E Major, and I am alternating playing pieces I worked on 2 or 3 years ago with things I might like to play this year. I’m working on the old pieces in short bits as she describes, but just hopscotching around the new ones, testing out the complications without actually doing any work.
The most important things at this stage of “recovery” are to maintain my excitement at playing again, build up my finger and thumb calluses, and not aggravate any of my old overuse injuries. There’s plenty of time for “work” later this year.
Some things I’ve done this week:
- Lee #1 and 2 (old) and #13 (new)
- Bach 2nd suite Prelude and Courante (old) and 3d suite Prelude (new)
- Piatti book 1 D and A etudes and book 2 E and c etudes (new)
- Cello 1 part in Bach, Klengel, and Goltermann cello quartets (new)
