Fairlady & Dagger
Dagger
You know, I’ve been thinking about how a musician’s training is like a drill—precision, repetition, and mapping out each movement in your head. How do you see that in your practice?
Fairlady
I love that comparison. In my routine I start with a few scales, each note a tiny drill that builds the foundation. I repeat them until the finger placement feels like muscle memory, but I always check that the sound still feels alive, not just mechanical. It’s a balance between precision and feeling, and I can’t help but get a little stubborn about not letting the music get lost in the process.
Dagger
That’s the right mindset—scales are your tactical drills, and you keep the mission clear by checking the sound. Stubbornness is just a higher‑risk tolerance; just make sure the goal doesn’t get lost in the details.
Fairlady
Thanks for the reminder, it’s a good point. I do love the precision and get a bit stubborn about the details, but I try to pause and check that the music still feels alive. If you have tricks for keeping the big picture in mind while drilling, I’d love to hear them.
Dagger
1. Set a timer on the drill so you know when to step back. 2. After each run, play the same passage without the drill and compare the feel. 3. Visualize the final performance as the only target—each drill is just a waypoint, not the destination. 4. If a detail starts to feel mechanical, ask yourself if it serves the overall expression; if not, drop it. 5. Remember: the best strategy is the one that wins, not the one that looks perfect.
Fairlady
Those are brilliant reminders, thank you. I’ll set a timer, step back after each run, and keep the final performance in mind. And I’ll definitely ask myself if each detail really serves the expression before I cling to it. I’m going to try it and see how it feels.