Teaching Philosophy (The Rake's Progress)
“Rehearse” originally meant “to rake dirt” and further implies the intent to harvest (and eat!). Raking an entire field can be hard work but the prospect of massive amounts of tastiness shared with family and friends gives us something to work toward. The physical strength gained from the day's work and the mental stamina necessary to harrow an entire field thoroughly makes the nourishment at the day's end that much more flavorful.
“Cello should be fun”, then, is too simple a philosophy—is too shallow. Every step of the experience should be pleasurable, and only in part because of the music itself. True, as we till the end of one row, there is another row to tend; another piece to learn, another level of musical refinement, another technique to master. But a part of learning music must be learning when to say that we're done on the field until tomorrow—to lean on the rake, wipe the sweat from our brow, admire our field and also admire how we grew from it (and/or grew from eating all that food...).
If we consider a Zen Buddhist's sand garden, it is the process of raking the sand that is the true reward. This is what we should seek in our playing: deep enjoyment. Enjoyment of every bead of sweat, of every fibre of every muscle drawing the rake, of every perfectly dug trough.
