Violinist Nicola Benedetti and cellist Sheku-Kanneh Mason Explore the Psychology and Physicality of Playing

April 6, 2021, 10:12 PM · On Tuesday, violinist Nicola Benedetti interviewed cellist Sheku-Kanneh Mason about his philosophy of playing, both physically and mentally. Here is that interview:

Nicola's interview with Sheku-Kanneh was part of her ‘Building Foundations’ Virtual Sessions, which focus on wellness. For more, check her Youtube Channel, where she will continue to share a series of short interviews over the next couple of weeks on the topic of physicality and psychology of playing, talking with a variety of musicians.

"My approach is a very relaxed and chilled one," Sheku told Nicola. "That's just how I try to be, as much as I can."

"I can get very focused and intensely thinking about what I'm doing, when I'm playing, both emotionally, and about the mechanics," he said. When not practicing, he said he tries not to think as intensely about music as when he is practicing. "I feel lucky that when I started playing, my technique was set up well," he said, and so he did not have to change a lot in that regard. Most of the technical thinking he does is to help find what he wants to achieve musically.

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