A funny and thoughtful gift from one of my students today...

Sound Principles and Principles of Sound

Today, I watched Sound Principles and Principles of Sound, a dvd lecture given by Phillip Kawin, one of the most insightful teachers out there and whom I also have the great pleasure of studying with at the Manhattan School of Music. The title proves a bit confusing. I would say that the heart of the DVD focuses on the Principles of Learning Music rather than Principles of Sound; but for this exact reason, the dvd is even more valuable. The second half (video comprises of 2 separate lectures) is especially helpful. One of the main concepts Mr. Kawin takes time to explain is skeletonizing, a method of study which aids both the physical and aural aspect of learning a piece of music. The DVD is addressed both to teachers as well as to intermediate and advanced pianists.

Photograph: Taken backstage after performing a Mozart Concerto with Phillipe Entremont~ Phillip Kawin, Phillipe Entremont, Alexis Zhu

Ina Garten at Sur la Table

I entered the new Sur la Table on 3rd between 75th and 76th today looking for a lemon grater. Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa will be there on Wednesday 5-7 pm! Too bad I will be teaching at that time. :0)

Different styles of teaching

I recently came into this discussion with a fellow colleague of mine. There are all sorts of teachers. Those which teach in extreme detail, note by note, others by concept. Some focus on physical solutions, and then there are others who are more sound oriented. Some are problem solvers while others teach and are simply guided by the music they love. However the approach, teachers should not forget the importance in allowing the student to finish playing through a piece, week by week in their lessons. In doing so, the teacher allows the student to develop an entire thought, seamless presentation, and should expect that with each performance, not only will the student acquire confidence and security in their playing, but also the opportunity to discover both a work's pitfalls, intricacies of performance, as well as testing its creative possibilities. Presenting a complete work, sonata, etc, is like running a marathon versus a short jog to the end of the block. A teacher should never underestimate the value of this simple exercise and weekly test of mental concentration. It is quite wonderful, this one, super-simple, but valuable thing to do as a teacher!

Planning out your actual practice time

Everybody structures their practice time differently. I advocate that instead of warming up with something technical such as scales or an etude, start the day by reading something you would like to learn, thereby warming up by listening and exploring. The catch is to move on after 20 minutes to the main focus of your practicing for the day. This also makes the practice session more exciting to look forward to!

For example...

Preface-Read and explore. NO MORE than 20 minutes.

Body-whatever you are working on

break

Etude

Body-another work, or back to what was before

use an exercise as a diversion whenever your attention starts to drift.

etc.

It sounds rough!

For this week, my comments seem deceptively simple. If it sounds rough, or you feel uninterested in your playing, chances are, your voicing falls short. As in yes, do try to voicelead EVERYTHING. Like magic, it will sound so much better.

I realized much later that growing up, I was really going to lessons every week for one main reason, to hear and be inspired by my Russian teacher who would literally sing me every line (voiceleading) in the piece. Later as an adult, many a time, lessons were not nearly so interesting. I realized also this was why most people from many of the world's most prestigious conservatories didn't sound so interesting. A typical conservatory lesson, though also important..."ahhh, it says, blah, blah, blah in the score. You missed it :0) "

The curious thing about the flat versus interesting

This past week, I attended a piano recital and found myself so bored, I had to leave. What happened? The program was played by a very well respected musician, seasoned performer, major prize winner, and intelligent musician. However, the performance lacked energy and charisma and failed to stimulate interest. Reminder to musicians and myself as well -after all the well-meaning preparation and study that goes into preparing a recital program, in the moment, spontaneity and art comes from the energy which you give to an audience. Relish, every moment. Otherwise, the performance will appear little more than a tedious exercise.

And so the beginning of the Practicing Discussion

Tips for the immediate to advanced musician/pianist.

1.Something that stuck with me from Anthony De Mare's 21st Century Pianist class this past week that I thought was extremely helpful was the notion to figure out fingerings, or to write in a piece's fingerings absent from its actual rhythm. This process allows us insight by leading us to find the most natural hand positions for each section without being limited by rhythm.

2.Try to use the metronome 80% of the time. this is something I found myself quoting to first to one Pre-College student, and then another, and another, and also to myself! The concept gives a sense of freedom when practicing because, it allows the metronome to act as a grid- which of course, is not being followed religiously, but acts as a companion marker from which to stray (sometimes).

Kindle for the bus, train, and everywhere!

It's happened. I just purchased a real book (no kindle version), requested a kindle version, which came out a week later and returned the original.

Infinite Possibilities...

http://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Possibilities-ebook/dp/B002NT3B5W/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1288281196&sr=8-1

For the amount of time I spend on public transportation, subways, trains, and buses, and since I live the life of the typical NY female with an overcapacity bag, thank goodness for kindle books. Who likes dog-eared pages anyways?

My reaction when I got the real book home last week, "what am I supposed to do with this exactly?"

Welcome to my new blog!

This is my first attempt at a blog. My decision making process went thus...

1. I thought it would be an interesting way to simply to keep up with my writing skills as an actively performing and practicing pianist. Yes, we all try to go to concerts, practice, and read, but at times forget to write!

2. I hoped to provide a useful and engaging forum for all parents, students, musicians to discuss both practicing and psychological factors for instrumental practicing, as well as offer and share advice and stories with other parents. A forum where the advice comes not only from teacher to student, or teacher to parent, but for parents to share also what worked in their household and creative space as well as what went wrong!

3. A place to share other interesting tidbits and observations, whether it be food, concerts, or anything else!

I look forward to offering my own experiences, comments and look forward to reading everyone elses responses as well!

Let me know what you think! I look forward to conversing with you!

~Alexis