Here we go! It’s that time of the semester again to get revved up for juries and recitals.
If you feel unprepared to play your ABSOLUTE best I would follow this advice that I heard from one of our iconic mentors many years ago- “when you’re late for a train, you run!”
This can mean doing some cramming work (as in preparing for a final exam) and staying in the practice room until you sound as great as you can by playing in tune, in rhythm, with a great sound, in character and with noticeable phrasing/shaping. Do not expect anything less from yourself!! This is why you play music! It’s not fun if you don’t sound good! Especially now- Your practice time takes priority over EVERYTHING (except for eating healthy food and sleeping)
It also means to not keep going over the stuff you already sound good on but to tackle your problem issues IN SLOW MOTION and speed them up GRADUALLY – ALWAYS LEADING WITH THE BOW (sound familiar?) Now stop reading this blog and go practice. 🙂
