Happy post-pie Monday -

Remember Tony? My 20-something, perfect-pitch-having, perpetually-proud-of-me cello teacher?

I need you to know that he bullied me into saying yes to the stupid recital this coming Sunday. (And by "bullied" I mean "very sweetly encouraged me and pouted until I said yes.") (And by "pouted" I mean "pouted.")

I also need you to know that Tony betrayed me last week.

First, a little music lesson for you...

Unlike guitars which have frets that correspond to different notes (exhibit A), cellos et al., are fretless (exhibit B).

It's much harder to play the right notes on a fretless instrument. And so beginners use something called "tapes."

Tapes are thin strips of ... tape... that "visually mark where to place the fingers, helping [beginners] learn the correct finger placement for notes ... essentially acting as a guide until they develop muscle memory and can play accurately without the tape." (Thank you, Google AI Overview.)

In other words, tapes make sure you put your fingers in the right place to begin with and help make sure you play the right notes going forward.

And here's where Tony's betrayal comes in...

Me: [Playing a wee bit sharp, as per usual.]

Tony: Put your fingers on the tapes, Kelley.

Me: Well, I think the tapes aren't quite right, so I have to play just past them. (Daring of me to say, since Tony placed the tapes and he has perfect pitch.)

Tony: Give me your cello. I'll fix them for you.

By "fix" he meant "remove."

Me: What are you... don't... the recital is... you can't!

Tony: Calm down.

Me: But...

Tony: Take your instrument, put your hand where it belongs, and play.

Me: This is nuts.

Tony: Just do it.

It took two tries because I was so nervous, but I did it. And I stopped playing sharp. Like, immediately.

So here's what I learned, and what I hope you learn, too...

Pep Talk #055: You can trust yourself.

‍Sometimes, we continue using a crutch long past when we need it. And that can actually hold us back.

In case it's not obvious, a crutch can be anything—or anyone:
A sales script we're afraid to abandon.
A job that's comfortable but not life-giving.
A business partner, or partner-partner, we don't think we can survive without.

It can be really scary to let go of something we think is helping us. But what if you'd be even better off without it? You can trust yourself.

This morning, I practiced my cello for the first time since my lesson last Wednesday (oops). I put my hand and fingers in the right spot. The first time. Without even thinking about it.

Maybe the recital won't be a disaster after all? I'll report back next week.

I still squeak, though -
Kelley