| I've been recording myself a lot lately, because I'm trying to get some excerpts PERFECT in terms of tempo, rhythm, and intonation. I have a MiniDisc player and a half-decent microphone, but for my practice sessions I've been using a digital voice recorder (costs like $40 bucks). Frankly, the sound on the thing is tinny and it distorts easily, BUT it is EXTREMELY convenient and fast, and it works great for the things I'm working on. This thing is smaller than my cell phone, and there is almost no setup time involved (just hit record).
I've done a couple different things recording myself. The main thing I'll do is play an excerpt or part of a concerto (~2 minutes), then listen to it. Then, once I've decided what I need to improve, I'll play it again. I've also been using a metronome with me sometimes, because I found I wasn't staying precisely with the metronome. This way is great for me mechanically, too, because it builds rest into my practice time where I wouldn't ordinarily take it, and so I'm more fresh and play more easily.
I'll also play a whole audition list down (~15 minutes) and then listen to it, writing down or just mentally noting problems (~10 minutes, because I can fast forward through the silence). So this is like an endurance routine for me.
Anyway, I think the important thing is to be sure to listen the way an audition committee would, then make sure you concentrate on whatever needs work right after. There's something about hearing it myself (rather than having someone else tell me) that makes me improve MUCH faster.
Good luck!
-CJ |