Lessons from Yo Yo Ma

Yo Yo Ma. Brilliant, thoughtful, and profound. Such a joy to hear, be around, and perform with. Here are some lessons from an opportunity to play in the orchestra with him as the soloist:

1. If two people have sympathy for one another, they can play well together. 
2. Musicians are all a little crazy. He invited us to "all be crazy together!"
3. Music from Dvorak's time period had to be led from the bass. The bass creates the earth so others can swim on the surface or soar through the sky. This can't happen without the bass.
4. He told the orchestra, "Don't be afraid of covering me up!" This creates an important tension between the soloist and the orchestra.
5. Connection is more important than music. The music is just a tool. This connection exists both between performers, and between the performers and the audience. Everyone in the hall could sense his generosity of spirit.
6. He transcends technique. His body does what his mind hears, and that doesn't always look like what the method books model.
7. The work has to be done before the connection can happen, and he has done this work.

Lessons from Australia and Being Part of a Strong Team

I spent three weeks on tour in Australia with an excellent chamber orchestra. The group plays together with great intensity almost constantly, and I (along with a number of other musicians) were brought in to augment their numbers so they would be able to perform some larger scale works.

It was interesting to observe how highly functioning they were as an ensemble--both musically and interpersonally, and I came back with some thoughts I wanted to remember and apply:

1. Keep seeking excellence. Always be growing and pushing yourself.
2. Read. Readers are leaders.
3. When needed, get out of the way and forgive others when they don't.
4. Seek/accept constructive feedback.
5. Use sarcasm sparingly. People are often more sensitive than one may think. 
6. We're all trying. Recognize and acknowledge that, even when something doesn't meet your expectations.
7. Exercise. Imagine you were given a vehicle to drive when you turned 16. How well would you take care of that car if that were the only one you could ever have? Take care of yourself.
8. Work with purpose.
9. Try and be around people who feel the same (or close to it) as you.
10. Be a part of a strong team and work to develop it.
11. Keep growing. Aspire.