As we approach another week of practice, Pipe Major Paul Landers has an important reminder for everyone: take a moment before Monday to record yourself playing and compare it with the sheet music. This small but crucial step can make a significant difference in our collective performance.
We've all been there—playing along with the band, feeling the energy, and suddenly a quick note mistake slips through. It's easy to start second-guessing yourself, wondering if it might be you. But this kind of worry can be detrimental to your confidence, which is why it's essential to prove to yourself that you know the correct music.
At this point in our preparation, these mistakes don’t happen due to a lack of learning—they happen because of uncertainty and mental drift. Muscle memory, which we rely on so heavily in performances, is powered by confidence. When you know you've got the music right, those correct notes will come out every time, naturally and without hesitation.
So, let’s all take the time to make those recordings and compare them with the sheet music. It's a small task that will build your confidence and, ultimately, our band’s overall performance. By Monday, let’s ensure we’re all in the right mental space to play at our best.
Let’s stay focused, stay confident, and keep moving forward together.
Building Confidence Through Preparation: A Reminder from Pipe Major Paul Landers
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