Quotes by Eloise Ristad
Addiction to practice
. . .how addicted we musicians become to the supposed virtue of grinding practice . . .
"God, I worked four hours straight on the Bruch today. It just doesn't get any better. And the Bach - I don't think I'll ever get those shifts in tune consistently."
"I know what you mean. I tried one shift two hundred times in a row today to clean it up, but I still can't trust it. Oh my arm is so sore! Anyone have a heating pad?"
"I've got one, but need it for my shoulder. I've got an audition coming up in two weeks and if this keeps up I won't even be able to lift my violin. Got any aspirin?"
"I've just got to get in at least ten or twelve hours each day over the weekend"
These are normal young people. There are thousands like them throughout the country suffering from the same addiction. But addiction it is is, and it's an insidious one because it usually goes by more acceptable names such as 'devotion', 'commitment' and 'dedication'.
Ristad, Eloise., A Soprano On Her Head (Real People Press, 1982), p.38-9
The word "fail", of course ceases to apply
The word "fail", of course ceases to apply if we know that . . we are merely gaining information.
Ristad, Eloise., A Soprano On Her Head (Real People Press, 1982), p.144
Stage Fright
stage fright needs to be confronted and experienced in order to be conquered.
Ristad, Eloise., A Soprano On Her Head (Real People Press, 1982), p.171
Accurate from beginning
As you learn a new piece, remember how important it is to learn it accurately from the begining.
Ristad, Eloise., A Soprano On Her Head (Real People Press, 1982), p.150
Many, many right ways
It is scary to realize there are many, many right ways, and that as we grow and develop, our perceptions change and shift about right or wrong ways.
Ristad, Eloise., A Soprano On Her Head (Real People Press, 1982), p.128
