260th Reflection💬

“The fruit of patience, how to refine❓”

Revise, revise, and revise.

……..

06/12/2022 (Tue) 13:00

LMusTCL Class

Teacher said, “Besides orchestration, have you done anything else?”

I said, “Yes.”

Teacher said, “What is it?”

I said, “Theme & Variations.”

Teacher said, “The whole piece completed?”

I said, “No, only harmonisation.”

I submitted to teacher my Theme & Variations for a check on my harmonisation.

Teacher said, “These chords, re-consider them and make revision.”

I said, “Get it.”

……

13/12/2022 (Tue) 13:00

LMusTCL Class

I re-submitted to teacher my Theme & Variations.

Teacher said, “The chords are fine. But where is the your variation?”

I said, “Here it is. I’ve added in quite a number of new notes.”

Teacher said, “This is simply a thickened texture. Variation always involves a change of rhythm in the melody.”

I said, “Oh my goodness. I knew nothing about it.”

Teacher said, “No problem. You’re well informed now. Go back and make revision.”

I said, “

…….

22/12/2022 (Thu) 16:00

LMusTCL Class

I submitted the 3rd time my Theme & Variations.

Teacher said, “The 2st variation is fine. How about the 2nd one? There are altogether 2 variations required.”

I said, “Here it is. I’ve adjusted the melody to dotted rhythms.”

Teacher said, “This is fare from enough.”

I said, “Why?”

Teacher said, “Two few adjustments. Little differences at all.”

I said, “How big should the adjustment be?”

Teacher switched on YouTube, played Mozart’s 12 Variations in C major “Ah vous dirai-re maman” JB265。

Teacher said, “At least something similar to Mozart’s. Go back and make revision!”

I said, “Get it.”

…….

Another me said, “Revision and revision! Do you know which revision this is?”

I said, “This is the 3rd revision.”

Another me said, “The 3rd one already. Never do something for more than 3 times. I swear under the lights - this is the last time.”

I said, “I swear to the Lord that whatever you’ve sworn right now has nothing to do with me.”

Another me said, “Nothing to do with you? I am you. Are you going to leave behind even your own self?”

I said, “There’s nothing great about my own self, is there? The Lord always teaches me to forgo my own self. Just leave it.”

Another me said, “How many revisions are you prepared to make?”

I said, “70 times 7.”

Another me said, “490 revisions for a piece of Theme and Variations.”

I said, “Not necessarily 490 times. 70 times 7 refers to countless times.”

Another me said, “Which is the last revision?”

I said, “The one that’s got the teacher’s approval.”

Another me said, “What if the teacher says it’s still not ok after 490 revisions?”

I said, “Go for the 491st revision.”

Another me said, “Are you mad? You think you’re still young? Do you know how many decades are left in you lifetime? You spare 491 revisions for a piece of Theme & Variations?”

I said, “It sounds like you know how many decades are left in my lifetime. How many? Show me.”

Another me said, “No, I don’t.”

I said, “Then shut up.”

Another me said, “What are you going to do if I shut up?”

I said, “Theme & Variations. You’re a hindrance to my refining of the spiritual fruit of patience.”

Another me said, “How have I been a hindrance to my refining of the spiritual fruit of patience?”

I said, “You’ve been talking so much that you’re preventing me from making revision, revision and revision.”

I completed the 3rd revision of my Theme & Variations.