What to expect from masterclass?

November 16, 2016 at 04:28 PM · When you play in a masterclass, think of it as another performance. Though you probably will only get to play a full movement of your chosen piece. You may want to find out from the organizer roughly how much time you have been given, so that you can decide whether you have enough time to play more than one movement. Generally, students have a work memorized - Some musicians leading masterclasses may be sticklers about this, but generally, unless something is going really wrong, they will not interrupt your playing. Usually, you want to bring a copy of the music for the musician running the class. I'm sure someone else here can let you know about whether you will be okay playing from music, but if you can memorize it, you should.

You may want to also give yourself a few practice performances for family or close friends before the class, which will give you a chance to run through the work in a performance setting and get some nerves out.

November 16, 2016 at 04:49 PM · How long is your piece? If it is a concerto, usually you play one movement.

A masterclass is supposed to give a few finishing touches to an already polished piece. So a memorization is usually expected, unless it is a sonata for violin and piano.

If you are particularly shy about public performance, make several home video recordings in front of your family/friends. Imagine yourself doing the actual performance in front of the audience.

You may have a couple of tricky spots in your piece. Prepare yourself to jump start near these places.

Last but not least, look up YouTube masterclass videos at or slightly above your level and carefully watch how it goes.

Good luck and enjoy the experience.

November 16, 2016 at 06:25 PM · The point of a master class is to improve your *very best* playing, which is generally memorized and finely polished, yes? The "master" likely knows your piece very thoroughly unless it is something really unusual. And if a reference to the music is needed there is always the accompanist's score, so it's rather doubtful that you would need to refer to your music on-stage. Definitely have your music in your case though.

November 16, 2016 at 06:45 PM · My first masterclass was really nerve-racking and I was interrupted in the middle of a movement. But I didn't mind the interruption because learned a lot from the teacher. The later ones I was allowed to play the entire movement but I hardly remember the feedback.

It is your performance but more importantly, you are giving other students the chance to learn some valuable lesson by putting yourself out like this. It's a very worthwhile effort and contribution you are making. Brava!

November 16, 2016 at 08:31 PM · OP - who is the master teacher that you are playing for? Everyone is different. By all means try to play your piece once or twice for some people before the master class happens. Yes, it's often quite nerve-wracking but you may learn a lot - and if the teacher is well-known it will be a good thing to add to your resume. Good luck!

I wrote a blog called "A Glenn Dicterow Master Class" in which I also briefly referred to some other people's master classes. You might find it in the archives here or go to my website where you will find it in the blog section. http://rkviolin.com

November 16, 2016 at 08:40 PM · One thing to remember when playing for one's teacher or the leader of a masterclass: you are there to learn, not to impress so there is no need to be nervous.

I had a shaky right arm in every performance starting at age 17 but not in my first masterclass experience 22 years later.

As Raphael says above, every masterclass will be different. In mine some played with the music and some without. It was run by Claire Hodgkins, who was Jascha Heifetz's USC masterclass assistant at the time (1973) and the students from that masterclass comprised the bulk of our participants - there was no way my playing could compare with their's, so why even think "competition." just do what I do - and I did!

The only other string masterclassesI have observed are on video from around 1962, by Casals (cello) and Heifetz. Both of these can be worth watching. The piano masterclass by Barenboim is also worth looking at for its musical value. There are many others that you can probably find on YOUTUBE, possibly run by some of your favorite performers.

November 17, 2016 at 12:15 AM · I'm playing for Ray Chen and the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, but I didn't learn the whole first movement... I only learned up to a certain point.

November 17, 2016 at 12:33 AM · Don't worry. You'll enjoy playing for Ray Chen. He will put you at ease, and he'll work with whatever you play for him. I predict you will have an enjoyable, memorable, and useful experience.

November 17, 2016 at 04:14 AM · Jennifer - just play the amount that you know best. Don't worry about memorization. I don't really know Ray Chen personally, but everything I've seen of him suggests a truly very nice person. I also predict that you will have a positive experience. Do let us know how it went!

November 19, 2016 at 10:03 PM · It was such a great experience! I did fumble a bit because I was really nervous but he gave me great advice and his personality helped me to feel more at ease...He's so funny!

November 20, 2016 at 12:49 PM · That's wonderful!

November 20, 2016 at 03:56 PM · I've seen a zillion masterclasses given by top violinists. They were all very diplomatic, kind, and met the student where they were. I think generally if they aren't interested in teaching they just refuse to do masterclasses.

The worst one was a masterclass at Meadowmount with Gingold, who just kind of grunted and yelled.