Simplicity

[MStarke]

Inspired by a lesson I had a few days ago which was really interesting and experimental.

Since I re-started with the trombone about 10 years ago, after a few years break, I have realized how important simplicity and simple guardrails are for my playing.

Teachers come up with a broad range of ideas, sometimes even contradicting, but often they can be boiled down to some relatively simple aspects. And for me it is essential to simplify in order to a) integrate it in my practicing without being overwhelmed by complecity and b) be able to make use of it in performance situations.
Typically when I play, I have one or max two things that I really consciously pay attention to.

So that lesson was absolutely worth it. I have two (maybe three) things that I will probably "carry with me" and integrate in my practice and performance. Honestly it also takes some maturity to make the conscious choice to prioritize and thereby on the other hand also abandon playing advice.

How do you handle this for yourselves?
And to the teachers: How do you manage this with your students? What do you expect from them?

[VJOFan]

Pedagogy like "Wind and Song" and Carmine Caruso's timing method are simplicity in their simplest forms. They get criticism, but have also worked for a ton of players as at least part of their mindset for good playing.