Staying in the game: Practice, attitude, metacognition, and intrinsic motivation in the aging artist
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EXCLUSIVE / 09.03.16

LIVE in THE SPOTLIGHT

The focus of this blog is to explore the practices, attitudes and motivations of successful artists and musicians in the autumn of life.
  1. How to practice: exploring strategies and tactics in an aging body through book reviews, interviews, personal anecdotes, with the goal of  staying happy, healthy and focused.
  2. Attitude: what it is a good attitude, how does helps us to learn and persevere,  which daily tactics help  us to acquire or keep a good one, what to do if yours needs a tune up?
  3. Metacognition: what it is, what it can teach us about learning, resources for study, conferences, and in practice.
  4. Intrinsic motivation: what it is, how it helps us to learn and persevere as we age, how to help those we mentor with theirs.
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The Musician’s Survival Guide to Fitness 

10/11/2016

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Exercises for musicians. There are sites on-line full of info, The Musician’s Survival Manual is one. 

A quick look on YouTube will reveal lots of other viewing choices. Longevity in musical performance is going to require stamina and good physical fitness. To last we are going to have to be in shape, or we risk injury and premature retirement. Having been down this road myself a few years ago I offer the following thoughts.
  1. Before starting an exercise program have a physical. Tell your doctor about your intentions. You don't want to drop dead in the gym.
  2. Join a class, or if you can swing it hire a personal trainer. Interview these people. You need someone experienced working with our age group. A young buck, in a bout of youthful enthusiasm might just injure you.
  3. It took years to get into the bad shape you find yourself in. It will take time to rebuild. Avoid boot camps. These are for wimps and the uncommitted. And, a great way to give yourself sore, no very sore muscles. Or worse.
  4. Working with a trainer 6 years ago I lost about 25 lbs. I've kept it off. Trainers coach, inspire, and cajole us forward. Ernie Schramayr's gym in Hamilton had great trainers at the time.  I went twice a month to get new exercises, check the nutrition patterns, and measure the shrinking blubber. I remember the first day. "Mr Story, on the mat let's find out what I'm going to be working with. Now give us a few push ups" Me, "yes sir!" I could do one and then bang face plant. "Ok Mr Story, we'll start here"
  5. Inform the gym about your injures, past and present. You don't want to make things worse.
To be successful we need big enough reasons to persist. Changing course in life is harder than turning an ocean liner around. So...

Possible big reason list:
  1. I don't want to die.
  2. I want to play as long as possible.
  3. I'm tired of huffing and puffing on stairs, when playing, or loading the car.
  4. I'm tired of being tired.
  5. I'll be more attractive in the job market. Let's face it. Positive energetic folks attract attention. Even if we are 60. No, especially if we are 60. Or older.

Final thoughts.
  1. If you can, surround yourself with people who support your quest. Who we associate with influences us, so find some fit musicians, and join them.
  2. Working alone with YouTube might work, but I doubt it. There is no feedback. There is no personal program. There are too many quacks selling crap and hope to the desperate. 
  3. Some really important findings on Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults. The site? Psychological science, a journal of the Association for Psychological science. This article has been cited numerous times. Always a good sign.
​​Good luck

David Story
www.davidstory.ca




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    David Story: Professional pianist, drummer, composer, and educator. Well into his 4th enthusiastic musical decade, David works with adults pursuing musical dreams in the autumn of life, while he maintains an active presence in the Toronto arts scene.

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