It’s important to rest. I write this having just returned from New Orleans, Louisiana. My wife and I met up with dear friends (and new friends) that we only get to see once or twice a year. We spent 3 days in the sun listening to amazing musicians and celebrating with good food while relaxing in our lawn chairs. After the overloaded schedule of Easter and all the Confirmation prep, it was a welcome break.The rest brought a different dynamic, it changed my pattern. And then I tied my time off to my occupation…
Do not underestimate the impact of the rest. I have always said that the greatest struggle of the weekend musicians is that they overplay, everything. I find this especially true of those that do not have a middle or high school band/orchestra background. Rests are written into musical scores on purpose. In school band, it’s not uncommon to rest for several measures, or even entire sections. In that setting, you learn to be patient and appreciate the value of rest. It’s okay to lay back, and serve the song. When you do lay back as an instrumentalist, your impact is much greater when you are playing. It feeds a breathing dynamic. Hearing a band that is “All on, all the time” is taxing on the ear. Liturgy has a dynamic all it’s own. It builds and drops, sounds and silence.
Give some space to rest. Sometimes the greatest notes are the ones not played…
