9/28: Mendelssohn Sop/Bass
When I was practicing, I kept trying to imagine both lines in my head, which appeared to be an impossible task. It's a skill I would like to be able to cultivate; I understand that there are musicians who can look at a score and mentally hear all the parts in an orchestra.
My thoughts kept shifting from one part to another, though, so I resorted to a flow chart to diagram entrances and lifts. It was helpful to break it down into simpler steps with a clear visual cue to know things like "Left hand gestures here...right hand breathes here." I would have liked, however, to wean myself of the flowchart and have to think less.
I also let a bit of evil toe tapping creep in. I can control that, but oh, I curse the 5th grade piano teacher who encouraged me to wiggle my toe! Any suggestions on how to internalize the pulse?
Finally, Andrew encouraged me to try shifting the beat pattern from hand to hand during the middle system of the piece. It was a great idea because I didn't have to divide my attention by keeping both hands going, but it revealed a gap in my practice- I've never practiced the pattern with my left hand. It was quite amusing trying it for the first time in class; I watched my left hand flail and jerk with interest. Andrew explained that, mercifully, it's not a priority to be perfectly ambidextrous. I plan to do a little practice at least, so that it dosn't feel like a chunk of dead meat.
Comments
Hanna -
I know exactly what you mean with the toe tappage. With it being ingrained from our grade school piano teachers and middle school band directors, it can be a hard habit to break. James Miller gave us the tip last semester in Basic Conducting to tap subdivisions with your tongue behind your top front teeth. This will also give you a nice, neutral "conductor embrouchure."
Good luck! CK
Posted by: Claire Klein | October 1, 2007 1:29 AM
I am with you on the "flowchart". What I did was to highlight melody. The entranced were much more clear to me that way. I don't know if this is a bad practice or not?
I am a toe-tapper as well. Usually if I suppress that, my knee starts bobbing or something. It is very ingrained, and helpful in many musical situations but it's hard to squash it while conducting! I found that taking about 3-5 seconds before starting to close my eyes, and really hear the tempo in my head helps cement it mentally.
Posted by: Tim Oesau | October 1, 2007 2:27 AM
Hanna,
A very colorful and descriptive entry! It is good to plan your movements if you find that to be useful; however keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to be able to be spontaneous, so you can react to music and then turn around and help create music.
Regrading the left hand, practice with it doing patterns and other gestures. This will be a useful skill to have.
Posted by: Matthew Mehaffey | October 2, 2007 3:22 PM
Hanna,
Rather than think of squelching the toe-tapping, perhaps you can pull that energy to your right hand. Then tap it with expression!
Just to remind you, this is nit-picking some very fine conducting on your part.
Posted by: Andrew Crow | October 4, 2007 5:53 AM