So, talked with Masahiro about it last night. He’s fine making a slower version to practice, but is not keen on slowing it down much more for the taikai, as it will lose it’s “coolness”. However! He did say that it’s perfectly acceptable to stop playing on certain sections if need be. He said there was nothing wrong with that.
Li-Hao: Note that beginners will still use Kevin’s simplified version. 
What we filmed this week was the full version with some cuts to make the piece shorter (but not simplified, as that is what Kevin’s video is for)
Anne: I realized something last night. I know you have enough skill to play the simplified version of the piece at it’s current speed, as you were able to play rokudan and a variety of worldly folk songs with Karl. Thus, you have enough coordination to play up and down the sao. What I’ve noticed what is holding you back is that you play slow enough to execute the technique perfectly. That’s awesome, and your technique sounds great! However, as I often comment, you need to take the emphases of playing everything cleanly to being relaxed, which will help you speed up and be fluid.
When practicing kata at the JKA dojo in Tokyo, they would often have us execute the kata once at slow speed, so we could get each technique, “perfect”. Then, they would have us do it as fast as we could, and told us to not care about getting techniques perfect, but to focus on speed.
Just like at the dojo, this is actually a very, very good opportunity to grow, as you’re forced to relax into the speed. Think less of getting the technique perfect, and more of the flow.
And as Nitta san said, there is nothing wrong with dropping out until you are ready to get back in again!
And with that, off to San Jose!
Go for it!!
I dunno, I was just following the Nitta.
