I feel stupid (when I face challenges)
Dear Flutelovers,
Terri Sanchez has written a great piece over at The Flute Examiner on creating better practicing mind-cycles:
Quote:
"Vicious to Virtuous: On Creating Better Practice Cycles
by Dr. Terri Sánchez June 26, 2025
There’s a little sign that I love, on my office door (snip) that says:
“This is too hard” is often a disguise for “I don’t want to put in the time it requires to accomplish this.” Similarly, “I don’t want to put in the time” is often a cover up for “I feel stupid when I face the challenges instead of ignoring them.”
The incredible irony is that “I feel stupid” comes from “this is too hard” which comes from “I don’t want to put in the time” which comes from “I feel stupid” … It’s a vicious cycle that is NOT EVEN REAL.
Because no musical passage is ever too fast or too difficult when approached with...."
______________
I super enjoyed reading what Terri has to say. She understands the topics she writes about deeply and her writing is so on topic and concise. Love it.
This week I also became aware of AI songwriting as two local businesses put out fun, informative songs this week, and it stunned me as a musician. It's so easy to write a compelling song now, using software, you just put in the lyrics and choose a template. Anyone can do it.
If musicians are not needed in the job force, what will we do with all the expertise in training musicians that we've accumulated as the human race? Hmmm?
These are interesting times indeed!
__________________
On a second topic: I'd like your input. The subscription-feed I'm using is called "Follow It" and it's supposed to just send you an email whenever I post to my blog. Well oh dear... I'm finding that they've pulled the old bait-and-switch and are now redirecting subscribers to a more advertisement-filled format, and not directly to my blog.
If you despise this practice (as I do) and can suggest a better company to use to alert subscribers to fresh and new blog posts, do please let me know in the comments. Thanks so much.
Eek. I hate ads!!
Alternately, if you don't find the adverts annoying and it's okay by you as a subscriber, feel free to comment also. Thanks again for input.
Update: August 21/25 : This blog also appears now on Substack!! Thanks everyone for commenting and helping out!
Jen
posted by jen at 11:07 AM
permalink
Comments (6)
Hi Jen, I’m a regular reader of your column. I enjoy it greatly, even though my active flute playing has faded somewhat as I move into my 80s.
The platform I would strongly recommend (as a reader only) is Substack. I regularly read a music and culture critic called Ted Gioia. (I strongly recommend having a look at his articles, some of them are very interesting and informative). He is full of praise for Substack on many occasions. They leave complete editorial freedom to the writers, and leave the writer the option of making the whole blog free, or charging to read it, or having some articles for paying readers only. I think they take about 10% of the fees for paying memberships- I’m not altogether sure about those details. It’s worth at least checking it out.
All the best, Peter Warne.
Thanks Peter. Yes, I was thinking about substack too. Good idea. And also, I do have these comments on "moderation" so that I don't get all the spammy comments (which are many), so that's why the delay in reading your own comment. Anyway, great to know that you're a longtime reader and all. Nice to meet you! :>)
Jen
Another long time reader here...also recommending Substack. I subscribe to a couple of writers there and get their full postings delivered directly to my email. Can include pictures and links, but no annoying ads. As Peter said, can be free or requiring paid subscribers or a mix.
I first learned of the Jessica Walsh/Allan Alexander books with CD via your blog and have enjoyed several of them over the years! Jen P. in North Carolina
Thanks Jen P. GREAT! It seems like substack is the way to go. I'll be sure and let everyone know here on the blog if and when it all moves. Thanks again!
Another sub stack recommendation. I will continue to read whatever your choice. Alberta
Thanks so much Alberta!! :>) Good to hear everyone's on the same page.