Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
What makes playing easy? (Why is it mysteriously easy sometimes?)
Recently, I had an epiphany.
Why is it that in a lesson or when working with a conductor that sometimes playing can be spectacular...both in miraculous ease of execution and in quality of result?
I think that it has to do with our heightened attention to what result we are striving for. For instance, I am playing the Hindemith Horn Sonata this coming Thursday in a recital of mine. I went to my lesson this past week and played the first movement fairly well. Then my horn teacher just said "think about the emotion of the piece and not the physical execution so much. Try to communicate to me the passion of the music [there's that word again...passion!? :) ]" I played it again and it was instantly "spectacular." My horn teacher told me that it was "like a different horn player was playing it the second time" I played it.
Why is this? Because I was intensely focused on the preparation needed to produce a spectacular product! At times, my brain seems so overwhelmed with the mental preparation that I lose track for a brief moment of what is coming out the bell of my horn. At these times it feels so easy and efficient to play, though. I therefore humbly submit that precise/spectacular playing is a result of MUCH preparation. I think that on the spot, it is 75% preparation and 25% actual thought about execution (if that).
Granted, this post is a bit nebulous. My apologies for the, as my conducting teacher puts it, "touchy-feely thoughts." But in my quest to be a very accurate and precise horn player, this is a discovery on the path to my goal.
Why is it that in a lesson or when working with a conductor that sometimes playing can be spectacular...both in miraculous ease of execution and in quality of result?
I think that it has to do with our heightened attention to what result we are striving for. For instance, I am playing the Hindemith Horn Sonata this coming Thursday in a recital of mine. I went to my lesson this past week and played the first movement fairly well. Then my horn teacher just said "think about the emotion of the piece and not the physical execution so much. Try to communicate to me the passion of the music [there's that word again...passion!? :) ]" I played it again and it was instantly "spectacular." My horn teacher told me that it was "like a different horn player was playing it the second time" I played it.
Why is this? Because I was intensely focused on the preparation needed to produce a spectacular product! At times, my brain seems so overwhelmed with the mental preparation that I lose track for a brief moment of what is coming out the bell of my horn. At these times it feels so easy and efficient to play, though. I therefore humbly submit that precise/spectacular playing is a result of MUCH preparation. I think that on the spot, it is 75% preparation and 25% actual thought about execution (if that).
Granted, this post is a bit nebulous. My apologies for the, as my conducting teacher puts it, "touchy-feely thoughts." But in my quest to be a very accurate and precise horn player, this is a discovery on the path to my goal.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Polling results are in
The poll on this blog has officially closed. The question I asked was about whether or not the public understood and appreciated the need for professional symphony orchestras.
The results were 13 (81%) voting no and 3 (18%) voting yes. This is what I thought it would be. I think in general, the public is lacking in awareness of the genre of the symphony orchestra. The more I think about this puzzle, the more I am convinced that it is through personal connections to the music that people are attracted and committed long-term to attending orchestra concerts.
I was recently quoted in the Columbus Dispatch as saying, "Live music touches your soul. Once you experience it, it's addicting." I personally do believe that this IS true.
If you have come from a website like SymphonySTRONG (or some other website related to the issues with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra situation) and haven't yet come to a concert (or haven't attended in a while), try coming out for the Marvin Hamlisch concert on May 30 & 31. This is the last scheduled CSO concert ever as it stands right now. Don't miss the opportunity to attend and EXPERIENCE what everyone is talking about!
The results were 13 (81%) voting no and 3 (18%) voting yes. This is what I thought it would be. I think in general, the public is lacking in awareness of the genre of the symphony orchestra. The more I think about this puzzle, the more I am convinced that it is through personal connections to the music that people are attracted and committed long-term to attending orchestra concerts.
I was recently quoted in the Columbus Dispatch as saying, "Live music touches your soul. Once you experience it, it's addicting." I personally do believe that this IS true.
If you have come from a website like SymphonySTRONG (or some other website related to the issues with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra situation) and haven't yet come to a concert (or haven't attended in a while), try coming out for the Marvin Hamlisch concert on May 30 & 31. This is the last scheduled CSO concert ever as it stands right now. Don't miss the opportunity to attend and EXPERIENCE what everyone is talking about!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
SymphonySTRONG link (updated)
The link in my previous post about SymphonySTRONG appears to have been broken somehow.
So here is the link to the SymphonySTRONG website.
Enjoy!
So here is the link to the SymphonySTRONG website.
Enjoy!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Fulfilled!
My great expectations were fulfilled! :)
Yo Yo Ma is truly a MASTER performer. Music sings from his cello whenever his bow gets near the actual cello! He ended up playing both the Haydn and Saint-Saens Cello concertos. For his encore, he did the slow movement from the Schubert Quintet. He performed with the Carpe Diem string quartet, which is comprised of members of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
The music was truly great (everyone enjoys the Saint-Saens!). An absolute pleasure to hear!! The Columbus Symphony played a tremendous role as well. Their dynamics and attention to detail were never unnoticed! As Yo-Yo Ma put it, "These people are great people. They truly put passion into each note at every rehearsal and performance!"
Yo Yo Ma is truly a MASTER performer. Music sings from his cello whenever his bow gets near the actual cello! He ended up playing both the Haydn and Saint-Saens Cello concertos. For his encore, he did the slow movement from the Schubert Quintet. He performed with the Carpe Diem string quartet, which is comprised of members of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
The music was truly great (everyone enjoys the Saint-Saens!). An absolute pleasure to hear!! The Columbus Symphony played a tremendous role as well. Their dynamics and attention to detail were never unnoticed! As Yo-Yo Ma put it, "These people are great people. They truly put passion into each note at every rehearsal and performance!"
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Great Expectations
In a few hours, I am going to go see Yo-Yo Ma perform with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Earlier today, I made the mistake of making my Facebook status the following: "HOURS until I get to see Yo-Yo Ma perform!" All day I have been having people ask me if I was going and everybody says, "He is SOOOOO great. You will have a fantastic time! I wish I was going!"
I agree, but yet I have reservations and a few questions about statements such as these. At first, I didn't expect such an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Now I am very interested as to why this kind of response comes out for Yo-Yo Ma??
Many people go to see the performer of a work and for that reason alone. What I am perplexed about is why people are super-excited to go and see an individual person perform, but not the entire orchestra? When I try to get people to go to a normal classical subscription concert, they make excuses and show a general apathy to the mere suggestion that they attend a symphony concert!
Perhaps it is the name, perhaps it is the "experience" they are going for...I don't quite know. It is a great mystery to me. But what I do know is that I go for the MUSIC. Seeing Yo-Yo Ma will be an electrifying experience because he is a master of making MUSIC. But ultimately, it is the MUSIC that is what matters most!
Just thoughts...
I agree, but yet I have reservations and a few questions about statements such as these. At first, I didn't expect such an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response. Now I am very interested as to why this kind of response comes out for Yo-Yo Ma??
Many people go to see the performer of a work and for that reason alone. What I am perplexed about is why people are super-excited to go and see an individual person perform, but not the entire orchestra? When I try to get people to go to a normal classical subscription concert, they make excuses and show a general apathy to the mere suggestion that they attend a symphony concert!
Perhaps it is the name, perhaps it is the "experience" they are going for...I don't quite know. It is a great mystery to me. But what I do know is that I go for the MUSIC. Seeing Yo-Yo Ma will be an electrifying experience because he is a master of making MUSIC. But ultimately, it is the MUSIC that is what matters most!
Just thoughts...
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