3. Intervention
After so many words that I hope have not bored you, here we finally come to the practical part of the research, my favourite!
On the basis of the research work done in the first chapter, as you could read earlier, I devised a working strategy that could help me to be more involved and focused on what I had to do during my study and performance. A working method divided into five aspects:
1) Goal Setting
2) Proprioceptive Training
3) Meditation
4) Imagery
5) Breathing Control & Arousal
3a. Goal Setting
Most students regularly study on 'autopilot', they start again and continue until something doesn't feel right (or a passage fails). At that point they stop and repeat the passage until it flows and then continue until the next mistake, and so on. All this is done without asking the right questions about the reason for the error, and therefore without getting to the bottom of the details. So people often study without an effective method: this is certainly less mentally demanding, but it has very negative sides. A lot of time is wasted repeating passages without achieving the desired results, thus generating insecurity and boredom. The act of playing will soon become much less productive and less rewarding, with the risk of falling into a routine and making studying your instrument uninspiring. Conscious study, on the other hand, is concerned with identifying problems and then seeking possible solutions; unlike the method mentioned above, it is an active and reflective process of experimentation with specific hypotheses and objectives. It is therefore a matter of taking the right amount of time to stop, to analyse what went wrong, why it happened, and how the error can be corrected effectively and sustainably.
It's all about asking the right questions, not leaving anything to chance, but rather creating confidence and certainty. An effective example of this could be represented as follows: Problem-solving model:
1) Define the problem: "How do I want this note/phrase to sound?"
2) Analyse the problem: "What is the cause of the error?"
3) Identify possible solutions: "What can I modify to get closer to the goal?"
4) Try possible solutions: "Which modifications work best?"
5) Implement the best solution: "How can I make the effect of these modifications permanent?"
6) Check the results: "Do these modifications continue to give me the desired results? Do they need to be refined?".
Problem-solving model 2 (even easier):
1) Choose a target
2) Shoot your arrow
3) Evaluate the distance between the arrow and the centre of the target
4) Go back to step one.
When I started this process I realized how lazy I am. The truth sometimes can be hard. I always knew that it is important to set your goal but always postpone. Taking a book, a pen and starting to write down your goals (in long and short term) is a big step that will change your practice instantly. That is what I discovered.
Why is it important to set goals?
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People with clear goals acccomplish more
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When you focus on a specific goal you do not waste any time
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You get a lot more done
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Goals keep you motivated
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You feel good about yourself, it improves your self-confidence
In one word?
Efficient.