Locus Iste
This friday was a completely different experience for me. Locus Iste is so different than the pieces we have worked on in class so far. For me, the other pieces that are moderate/fast in tempo are much easier for me to handle than slow and sustained pieces. Although it was a different type of music, the same difficulties that were apparent in my past conducting experiences were present again. I seem to be having a lot of difficulty with my wrist motion.
I feel like I am being extremely un-musical when I am focused on my wrist motion. I understand that there is a way to be musical and keep my wrists under control, but it is a foreign concept to me right now. The tip Matt gave me, using the pen, is helping a lot. It is a good visual to use. It keeps me aware of the wrist motions and I am more conscious of my inconsistencies. Are there any other exercises that I can use to help with the wrist motions?
Hopefully this next week, I can practice and find a happy medium with controlled movements and musicality.
Comments
Kristin,
First, did you really write this at 3:15am? Are you practicing to be a grad student?
Second, regarding the wrist: you might try isolating your movement from each joint (whole arm, shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers) and move ONLY that joint. Then try blending to movements in various proportion (75% shoulder, 25%, elbow, or 50% fingers, 50% wrist). Do this to real music - a recording, preferrably. This is an exercise to help you learn what it feels like to isolate, to ingrain those habits, and to help you see that you can be elegant/forceful/light/legato/anything with limited tools. Then you can use a variety of those tools - choosing the right tool for each job - on the podium. It's also a way to NOT think about the wrist.
Posted by: Andrew Crow | November 13, 2007 07:17 PM
Ha, maybe I am a grad student in the making. I don't think it was quite THAT late, but it was fairly late.
Thanks for the advice, I'll be sure to take that into account before Friday's conducting!
Posted by: Kristin Olson | November 13, 2007 07:55 PM