Dancing Daze
I agree with Tim that this piece was all about getting it “in your body.” I got lost a few times, but was able to recover because of that internalized sense of pulse. Someone in class today commented, “You’re thinking too much,” which was perceptive. When you stop to think about the complexity of switching from duple to triple and back again, it can be overwhelming for us novices. It worked best for me to do a lot of listening, pause to analyze the metric scheme, and then listen some more. It is a wonderful piece, thank you for choosing it!
Because I missed our tutorial last time on “Dancing Day,” I had practiced a rather funky technique. I paid close attention today and tried to adapt to the advice Matt gave to my colleagues, but when push came to shove, I probably should have stuck with what I rehearsed rather than trying to make last minute changes in the moment. I crashed and burned trying to have my cake and eat it too.
The recording I liked the best had a pretty zippy tempo, but in class, I seemed to modify my tempo to what everyone else was doing. I think it would have been good to try something different and go as fast as Claire, but I had a tough time getting the standard tempo out of my body. It is a huge challenge as a conductor to be able to regularly start in the tempo I want rather than find through trial and error. Any tips?
Comments
I don't think you crashed and burned at all. I think it's a good idea to stretch yourself like that. We all come with something prepared, and Matt always has us try a different approach to think in the moment.
In terms of tempo, I have trouble with that as well. One thing I think I will try is something similar to something I did in the past with pitch - which is to memorize pieces in different tempos as benchmarks. So, with pitch, I sang a melody that started on C over and over until it was internalized. It helped improve my sense of pitch.
What I'm thinking is picking, say, a piece or song you know well that is at 120 bpm, another at 100, 80, 60, etc. Then, when you need to conjure a tempo, you can think about your benchmark piece.
Posted by: Tim | December 1, 2007 10:25 PM
It's funny you say that, because I thought my tempo choice was not all that different from everyone else's! I just sort of hear it in my head before hand - maybe sing the first few bars before I get up there - and use that a basis. And I must say, Hanna, there was no "crashing and burning." I remember thinking "geez - her students are going to be lucky!" Your face and your intent are quite clear. Well done!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 2, 2007 03:36 PM
Yes, Hanna, switching your technique on the fly can be tricky. I find conducting the metronome to be helpful for internalizing tempo - boring, of course, but useful.
Andrew
Posted by: Andrew Crow | December 4, 2007 06:57 PM