Don’t Give Up

Don't Give Up

We all make mistakes...

I read an inspirational post by Patricia Elliot concerning the experience of someone saying something negative to you and bringing your confidence and self esteem down. Her advice is to reflect on what has been said and then smile, as you have power over your own emotions.

These negative reactions of others are not always overt comments nor are they always intentionally designed to knock your confidence.

Many years ago I heard Itzhak Perlman on the radio playing Schindlers List and fell in love with the sound of the violin. One day I saw a sign offering a very reasonably priced violin kit for sale and bought it there and then. The violin shop owner suggested a teacher and I booked my first lesson.

I had been given a few lessons on my brand new ‘Primavera’ Chinese violin outfit and was learning to read music as I went along. My teacher was very encouraging. I felt confident and went along to play at his amateur orchestra.

Of course I was oblivious to little details such as key signatures and playing in tune. I played loudly with gusto and spirit.

Then a little girl in front of me, whilst continuing to play, slowly turned her head round and gave me a disbelieving look. It was like a scene from the Exorcist.

It was awful.

I suddenly became aware that I was making mistakes, lots of them, and it was not ok.

I didn’t return to the orchestra until several years of lessons and solitary practice had passed.

During this time I was lucky enough to see Itzhak Perlman in concert at the Barbican Music Hall in London. It was wonderful and he played superbly - but at one point made an obvious mistake.

I took a little sharp intake of breath at hearing it (like you do when a tightrope walker wobbles).

Everyone else in the audience took a little sharp intake of breath too.

The sound of almost 2,000 little sharp intakes of breath is impressively and incredibly loud.

Itzhak of course knew that he had made a mistake but he didn’t stop.

He smiled. He continued. He received a standing ovation.