Hello.
Today's practice was quite satisfactory. I believe we put in our effort and achieved today. This is the kind or improvement we are hoping for leading up to SYF.
However, let us not become too proud of our improvement and be complacent. We have a month or so ahead, and we still have room for improvement. One problem Long Laoshi had noticed and pointed out was that we still lack discipline. Latecoming, talking during practice... that sort of disruptions.
The excos had a short talk with her about it, and we have come up with a reason for it, and hope to solve it. We know that Wei Laoshi's style is to have a full orchestra before we begin practice, and to solve errors we come across. Thus, those who arrive early wait, and we spend time waiting while he practices a certain individual or group. We understand that he can spend a considerable amount of time, and leave others with little to do but sit and wait. People end up getting bored and talking, and the waiting has (we speculate) caused some to feel that there is no need to report on time, as they will have to wait anyway.
Starting Term 2 we will have to solve the attendace issue, and cannot tolerate latecoming. As for those who feel time is wasted sitting and waiting, we are trying to adjust the way we practice to maximise that time.
Another reason we have to wait long is that whoever is being practiced by Wei Laoshi ends up having to repeat practicing again and again and again and... ... ...
So, Dazu time is spend solving individual or group issues, which should have been gone through during Xiaozu or morning practice. Morning practices are called practices for a good reason, they are not meant as an excuse to skip assembly to eat breakfast, or talk to friends, or play handphone games.
Instead of playing the entire song over and over in the morning, we should follow Wei Laoshi's strategy of using each practice to be sure of 1 part, a few bars. Concentrating on a problem and practicing solves it, not playing the wrong thing repeatedly.
Monday's group practices should be used for the same purpose, so that when we all meet for Dazu, what we practice is playing together, and not one person playing his own part.
Dazu time is precious, we have around just 10 left.
It is time to get serious.
It is time to put in our all.
Focus.
Each person has his own part to be responsible of.
Don't let us down!
But don't hold us up...
You can never practice too much.
Jiayou!!!
Ivan :)
