Self-Confidence, self-criticism,self-judgement

Dear Bilbo, Roger and Friends,

As Shakespeare put it so very well, it is all in the mind. He certainly knew
what he was talking about as he was an actor and presumably judged his
performance on a daily basis. However I have reason to believe that in his
judgment of his acting ability he would have been positive.

I think positive criticism is the proper way to go. Do not think badly of
yourself but think positively how you can make it better and proceed from
there.

I spend part of the day learning new music and it is difficult
for me too just as it is for you. However I get on with the job and am happy
that each day shows a little bit of improvement, If you are looking for a
massive improvement in your playing after a couple of hours playing it is
just not going to happen. Learn to delight in small things because one day
they will all become the big things you were looking so impatiently for.

Looking at things ³how they are² in performance is the way to go.

Last week I played the Pied Piper three times and there are bits in there
that I just cannot play the same as when I was younger. I sometimes think I
should learn continuous breathing. Perhaps I will.

In the concerto and there is a passage I can no longer play in one breath as
John Corigliano wrote it. All other things in the concerto I can do. There
are a ton of low B¹s in it and I did not miss any of them because I have
practiced diligently the Moyse books which deal with getting these notes.

Well the one passage I as speaking of is to be found in the cadenza, last
line of the first page and the first line of the second page of the cadenza..
In bygone days I could do this in one breath but now at my advanced age I
cannot. I accept this as a fact and find another way to play it. I do not
feel bad about this because it is the best I can do with what I have. It
does not ruin the piece and I can live with this one failing.

This is a most important point. Living with what you have. Do the best with
what you have. With this way of thinking you will improve, albeit slowly,
but you will improve. You will feel better about it all-round.

Thinking otherwise is convincing yourself that you cannot do it and you will
not do it because of these negative thoughts.

I know it is possible to improve in the self confidence department with the
correct approach of positive thought. This train of thought can be applied
to all other subjects one has to deal with on a daily basis.

Think positive and start a new life right now.

Sir James,
New York
USA

22 February 2008