Opinion: Jedi Wisdom for string playing

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Throughout the various stories that make up Star Wars, the Jedi have been constant sources of insight and wisdom. Not surprisingly, many of the teachings can be applied to life in our galaxy, particularly in regards to string playing. The following are a few that can be very useful:

‘Your focus determines your reality’– Qui-Gon Jinn

This can have many applications, but the one that resonates with most players is in the context of a performance. It’s not uncommon to be a ball of anxiety about performing, which can often manifest itself in shaking, clammy hands, racing heart rate, and an increase in breathing. When this happens, your mind tends to hone in and fixate on the fact that you are nervous, pushing expressive aspects of performance to the background. The fact that you’re nervous is what is occupying your forethoughts, rather than the business at hand, which is making music.