For a little while, my Achilles heel has been soundposts. Setting, fitting, adjusting them…all of the above. I’d decided in my mind that no matter how hard I tried, that little stick was going to get the best of me, and that’s all there was to it. I was going to lose every time, so I got used to being frustrated, disappointed, and embarrassed with my abilities.
Two weeks ago, my relationship with soundposts turned a corner. Sure, I struggled a bit, but they started standing up as soon as I put them in. Was it horribly crooked? Yep. But when I straightened it, it didn’t fall down. It actually stayed where I moved it, and before I knew it, I had a well-placed, straight soundpost.
As every musician knows, this development didn’t happen by wizardry or luck. I’d practiced it, analyzed my mistakes, and asked for advice from others who had climbed this mountain before me. Additionally, making progress allowed me to start getting past the huge mental block I had.
Years ago, an archery instructor at our local archery center said if you think you’re not going to make the shot, you won’t. You could be doing everything perfectly and will still miss because in your mind, you already have. The same goes for anything. That cadenza you stumble on. The shift. That stupid little stick.
Will I still struggle? Sure, but less. I am so much more confident with soundposts than ever before. But just in case, don’t tell the little stick.
