How can joy elevate a performance?

I recently arranged for my three-year-old grandson Harold to visit a fire station. Harold is obsessed with firefighters and fire trucks. He owns his own firefighter coat, pants, and helmet.

When we got to the fire station, he ran to each and every corner of the giant fire truck. He was in heaven, and his enthusiasm and joy were contagious!

Afterwards, I thought—can I bottle this ingredient of pure joy? Can I use it in my musical life, and can I share it with the people that I coach?

When was the last time that you felt pure joy? One of the joyous moments that stands out in my memory is from childhood, when I rode my bike down a hill at breakneck speed. I'm sure you've felt that way at some point in your life, but have you ever felt that way while playing your viola?

In our lives as professional violists, we feel the physical pain of fatigue. We also feel the frustration of difficult conductors, of challenging environments, and of performance anxiety. Is it possible for the joy to coexist with the not-so-good feelings?

One of my favorite poems by William Blake:
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Joy

Joy and woe are woven fine.

A clothing for the soul divine:

Under every grief and pine

Runs a joy with silken twine.

It is right it should be so;

Man was made for joy and woe:

And when this we rightly know,

Safely through the world we go.

When all the challenges of being a "viola pro" are hanging over you, seek out joy in the beauty of music and in whimsical play (musical and otherwise). I don't think they're mutually exclusive, and I believe that the light of your joy can even eclipse your challenges.

If this blog resonated with you, email me at mick@theviolapro.com and let me know. I would love to hear your thoughts.