Performing
The Performing section focuses on different aspects of mental preparation for a performance as a soloist, a chamber musician, or an orchestral player. How can you experience being in the zone or being in the moment during a performance in front of an audience. Performing classical music is very engaging and challenging. It is an amazing feeling when you are able to play close to your abilities. That is something few people get to experience.
Once you graduate from college and start your own independent life as a professional classical musician, it is easy to lose your ability to perform. Playing solo and chamber music concerts has multiple benefits in maintaining your skills as a professional classical musician at the highest level. Performances will push you to practice on regular basis and improve your own skills. You will discover better ways to improve your technical and mental preparation. It will also help you to be a much better teacher.
In the Performing section you will find a lot of useful information from experienced classical musicians who actively perform as soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral players.
The Fallacy of Intent in Composition
Performers often ask me about intent and composition. How important is it to know the composer’s original intent for a specific idea or piece? My
Creating a Great Composition from Zero
Composition is a kind of freedom. A line from the film Amadeus (written by Peter Schaffer, directed by Milos Forman, 1984) has always resonated with
Historic Pianos of the Great Composers
In his late years, pianist and conductor Anton Rubinstein was asked if composers like Mozart and Beethoven would have been happier if they had access
How to Memorize Music Quickly
If you want to work on memorization, start by listening to the piece every moment you have. Put on a recording when you first get
7 Days and Counting…Your Last Week Leading up to an Important Performance!
Although your event is just around the next corner, the most important thing to remember is: Do not exhaust yourself in the last week before
Playing In a Wind Quintet.
Playing in a wind quintet is very hard work. There are no magic tricks or shortcuts, just persistent effort. It is very important for all
Keeping Performances Fresh
In order to avoid routine, we make minor changes in our interpretation on a regular basis. Periodically we re-work a piece with the score and
A New Practice Method: Mock Auditions and Overall Assessment
In my previous articles I discussed the research and listening phase, as well as the very methodical recording phase, as taught in the Audition Hacker
Performance Routine
Work through pieces slowly. I decide on my time frame for a concert preparation depending on the program. l always schedule more time than I
Combating performance anxiety.
I used to have severe performance anxiety when I was in college. I thought that the professors were waiting for me to mess up during