BFlinch83

Hi Tom-
I'm trying to overcome a mental block when it comes to orchestral excerpts. Everytime I have to play a list, I kind of freeze up, get preoccupied with perfection and lose sight of the music. I feel like I can nail the Tomasi or Jolivet Concertos but struggle every time with Ballerina or Promenade.
Do you have any thoughts on making excerpts appear as simple as they are?
I appreciate it!

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"I could compare my music to white light which contains all colours. Only a prism can divide the colours and make them appear; this prism could be the spirit of the listener." ~AP

thomashooten

HI,

When it comes to playing these excerpts, try to focus primarily on manifesting the character of the music. Ask yourself, what would my body have to do to feel and make (for example) Ravel pno concerto exciting and fun? Usually, this type of approach reminds me to stay loose with the air, or relax my legs or whatever.... Although we need to make these excerpts clean with good intonation, the overall character should be the focal point in playing them. Make this idea physical, not only mental. I find that I'm more accurate with good intonation and phrasing when I'm not just thinking of "perfection".
Most of the excerpts we play have a underlying vocal quality to them. For example: Don Juan is one that I like to really get into character with. I try to focus on the free spirited quality of this music. What is Don Juan's demeanor throughout the piece? Is he tight or loose? What do you think his voice is like when he shouts "aaaaaa haaaaaa"? What would your voice have to be like to say "aaaa haaa.?? Probably really free and uninhibited.
This probably sounds a little different, but give it a try and see what you learn.


Tom

Vulgano Brother

It sounds like you are lacking "flow" while playing excerpts. This has been studied extensively by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi:

"How does it feel to be in 'the flow'?

Completely involved, focused, concentrating - with this either due to innate curiosity or as the result of training
Sense of ecstasy - of being outside everyday reality
Great inner clarity - knowing what needs to be done and how well it is going
Knowing the activity is doable - that the skills are adequate, and neither anxious or bored
Sense of serenity - no worries about self, feeling of growing beyond the boundaries of ego - afterwards feeling of transcending ego in ways not thought possible
Timeliness - thoroughly focused on present, don't notice time passing
Intrinsic motivation - whatever produces 'flow' becomes its own reward"

This comes about after "overlearning" (which is normal for us, practicing past the point of getting it right once). Being "in the flow" is what wins auditions. If either anxiety and boredom are too high, the flow can't happen. Fun stuff, flow.

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