Mindful Performing versus Mindless Practice

Dear Emily,

I'm so proud of the progress that you have made in your music lessons this year.  As exam day approaches, I was thinking about how to encourage you to practice over the next couple of weeks and here are my thoughts.
From now on, Don't Practice!  YIKES! That's right I said "Don't Practice!"  Forget about practicing!
From this point forward until your exam, I would like you to perform every time you play a piece.  Play as if you are performing for the examiner, the Queen, the composer himself or someone you really would love to meet...Justin Bieber?
Be intentional about how you play.
Each song is telling a story. Take time once again to think about what is happening in each song.  Is it a dance?  Is it a bullfight with the toreador winning or is the bull winning?  Is it happy or sad?  Think about the theme of each song and then play with those thoughts in your mind.
I'm so glad your pieces are memorized but the piece is not just a bunch of notes! The composer may (or may not) be dead but you can bring the composers passions and intentions for the song back to life when you play it.  Dynamics are there for a reason, phrasing and slurs give quality and depth to your song, your fingers, hands and body are the method of producing the sound.
Pause between each song and remind yourself of how you are going to perform it.  Tell your audience the composers story through your heart, mind and hands.
"Be mindful of each song, not mindless."
Emily, you are a wonderful  student and my desire for you is to be mindful in your performance and forget mindless practicing.  Keep up the good work and I know you will do well on your exam.

Musicallyours,
Mrs. Lois