First: Think, reflect, and try to understand. THEN play!
Music: It's a hard, good fight. In this profession the more you know and achieve, the higher the mountain gets. There is no end.
Question yourself, your playing… all the time! How's my: Balance? Direction? Shape? Pulse? Sound? Articulation? Breathing? Hand Position?
Go for the subtleties, sophistication, and detail… not cheap thrills!
Your musicality should not be merely accidental or intuitive. How can you be so musical and yet do so many unmusical things?
You are intelligent and talented. That is NOT enough.
Know yourself, your talent, and especially, your weaknesses. Develop your instincts and use your talents.
Be careful not to become a slave of your fingers. Always make sure that your mind controls your fingers and not the other way around. Technique should always be subservient to the musical idea.
Attitude is everything. Yes, the psychological pressure is difficult. But you knew that, and you chose to be here. Give yourself a chance and believe that you can. Otherwise, you will be on stage and think, "MY GOD! WHAT AM I DOING HERE!" There are many psychological factors on performance. Everyone has ghosts to deal with, but the moment you know them, they cease to exist! Try to understand why you feel nervous. Be grateful for life, for the opportunity to play.
Trust what you know. If we get 80% of what we practice when we perform, we are lucky. Don't try to play better than you can (it can happen, but not usually!) and don't allow yourself to play worse than you should!
To check if something is right, try both extremes: right and wrong. You must know wrong to recognize right.
Music and sound are not equal. Don't go for sound. Go for music. Sound is physical and note-by-note. Music is thinking in advance (intellectual) and emotional.
Fight your reflexes and THINK more! Your brain is incredibly lazy when it comes to participation in what you're doing. It is a spectator of the ballet made by your fingers.
Be aware of the relationship between what you want and what you actually are doing.
Anticipate your intentions. Connect all the wires before you play; know exactly what you are going to do.
Use your brain always, not only "on demand."
You cannot become a great musician through money, through miracles, or through your teacher. You could study with Horowitz... you could study with God!... without the work and effort on your part, nothing will happen.
