Dynamics, Articulation and Slides

December 6, 2007 at 6:13 AM

Lessons tonight were INTENSE! Drew's article on shifting pretty much describes a good portion of my lesson tonight - when to slide and not to slide, subtle rhythms in the shift, etc... Thanks Drew! I'm going to be printing this out! I have ALOT of shifting exercises to do this next week!

My projection made huge improvements, even in my teacher's small studio room. Was there a small amplifier that someone snuck into my viola while I wasn't looking ?!?! (I acutally DID look!)

We also spent a considerable amount of time on bowing, working on things like
- Where should I be in my bow stroke at the end of this phrase before beginning the next?
- How to avoid excess bow movement(the down-down on a forte, etc.)
- When to make smooth velvety transitions vs. authorative distinct and transitions.

I don't think I have EVER studied any piece of music as intensly as I am doing right now. OK, maybe once 27 years ago when I auditioned for the Sewanee Music Camp - back then it was the Telemann Concerto if I remember correctly. This time, the stakes are different. If this audition goes well, I play solo in front of hundreds of people in a concert for the first time (ok, maybe second) in my life.

It is a bit scary. I WANT to do this and succeed. At the same time, the thought of standing on stage with a spotlight on me in front of hundreds of people listening to every note I make, hanging on the edge of their chairs when I crescendo to a climatic note, almost makes me want to go into "flight" mode. What if I make a mistake? Well, the only thing I can do is prepare the best that I can.

If I win, then I work even harder than now on preparing for the concert. If I do not win, I work even harder to win next time.

What WAS I thinking when I committed myself to doing this?!?!?!

From Albert Justice
Posted on December 6, 2007 at 7:34 AM

I'm excited for you Mendy! I hope you can play in front of some people as you get ready--I think that would help. Maybe a lot....

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on December 6, 2007 at 12:26 PM

Put on those sunglasses!

From Mendy Smith
Posted on December 7, 2007 at 6:32 AM

I did get to play the first page in front of 2 of my quartet group tonight, and there was not one nervous bone in my body... Time to start increasing that number. Maybe I'll invite the neighbors over :)

From Drew Lecher
Posted on December 7, 2007 at 6:42 AM

Glad the GPS blog helped:-)

Practice intensely smart knowing you will be performing and enjoy it fully — both the preparation and the performing.

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.