You've just released the last chord in your recital

By Vidas Pinkevicius

You climb off the organ bench and hear the audience's applause. You smile and take a bow. People continue to applaud. You bow several more times and go off stage. Some of your listeners want to meet you afterwards.

"Thank you so much. I enjoyed your playing very much."

"I closed my eyes and seemed to be transferred to another world".

"I almost fell asleep during the fugue".

"You played too loud for my taste."

How to interpret these and other comments you receive from members of the audience after your recital?

Should you be upset with the negative comments and quite happy with the positive ones? Negative feelings can stay with you for a long time and euphoria from the praise can give you a false sense of pride and accomplishment.

"If people don't like my playing, I'm no good."

"I'm worth a lot, if listeners praise me."

A more productive way of thinking is remembering the true internal reason of why you're doing this and paying attention only to the comments of people who earned your trust, who are doing the same work you're doing, who are in the same boat with you and dismissing the feedback from the anonymous strangers because it only distracts you from doing your work.

Purpose creates worth.