Photography by carf.
I often wonder what the best way is to teach my little brother, age 10, music.
The boy goes to piano classes, and he’s actually quite talented, being able to read music quite fleuntly and playing all major and minor chords with ease after little more than a year of training.
During this time, I did find ways to contribute and help him on his journey, and there are a few tricks you may find useful yourself.
Photography by vern.
Reader “pianologist” commented on this post that it’s not possible to be at your top 100% in a concert situation.
Of course, I agree, and I thank him for the comment. But let me put this into perspective: I think it depends on the definition of 100%. For me, personally, it’s clear that I’ve played a good concert if the response is good as well. That’s my 100% – if the audience really liked it, I’ve played 100% for them.
We all face situations in which we are tested. I know you do. So frankly, as a musician I always face that moment of fear prior to a concert that let’s me know I’m not going to be playing at my fullest potential. So how do I try and get the engine warm before throwing myself to the wolves? Well here’s a few pointers.
Focus. In the meaning of the word, try to remove everything else from your mind, make it a clear pathway for absolute sole focus on your music. Ditch thinking about the audience, your teacher, your cold fingers. …read more
Photography by selva.
Recently I’ve been having some serious trouble when reading sheet music. I’ve begun slowing down! I guess the recent lack of classes has provided me with ample laziness to actual read scores. I’m finding it hard to decipher chords I could decipher with ease just months ago.
So here’s the Fast-Break Crash Diet I did to get back in reading shape:
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Musical Republic, hear what I beg! I need your opinion!
Oboeinsight recently featured some brief thoughts on Orchestra Etiquette, resulting in the fact that it’s important to stick to your commitments.
Of course, we here at TGM are happy to get a gig in the first place, so this seems like an odd question. But it does arise when you’re having spells of high musical stress, when it may be legitimate to consider cancelling a gig.
Photography by Brittney Bush.
What Is Concert Yoga? To me, as an Indian, it is my ritual of being mentally and physically alert before any concert, or even just before I sit down to practice scales.
My habits that make up my concert yoga are probably obvious, some may be new to you, some might strike a note with your habits, and others you will scoff at.
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One question I get asked from time to time is how I maintain advancement and stay aware of it.
Well, the first thing you need to be aware of is your learning pattern. It has a plateau-like structure.
After that, it’s all about a term from empirical research: Operationalization.
Big word, simple meaning. Let me give you an example. Let’s say you wanted to measure whether carrots are good for eyesight. How would you go about it? One way would be to get a bunch of people to test, and do an eyesight test. Then feed them carrots for a week and measure …read more
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It’s the end of a turbulent year, a year in which I had to choose not to study music, and where I had to begin a life of practicing alone, and giving up concerts sponsored by my school.
In the new year, I have a few goals I want to achieve, to keep my musician-being going at a healthy rate.
Here are The Good Musician’s new year’s resolutions:
Photography by It’sGreg.
One very important aspect of your musical endeavors should be your goals.
Ask yourself these questions:
Where do you want to be as a musician in 5 years?
In 3 years?
In 1 year?
Who are your idols?
What piece do you want to be able to play?
It’s happened too often that I had a brilliant tune while sitting in the bus, just to end up at home at my instrument, having forgotten how it went.
You may argue that if it didn’t stick, it wasn’t that brilliant, but the point is that even Mozart was known to have had a quill and some paper around him at all times.
Similarly, you should consider a capturing device for your musical inspirations. I personally use Moleskines for note-taking and as an agenda, but they have a product just right for musicians, the Music Moleskine.
I love them for their beautiful …read more
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