EdwardsTrumpets

Sorry about posting this in multiple places, but I would like as many people to see this to offer advice. I've got a bit of a problem, and was hoping someone can help. I have been preparing a concerto for performance with the symphony I play in which is coming up early next month. I have been preparing this piece for almost a year, and I had performed it before in a recital several years ago, so I feel that I really know the piece. I have been playing it by memory for about 3 weeks now, with some minor memory slips here and there, but lately I have been really botching a lot of the technical passages in the piece. Some of the passages have always been a nag, but now I'm starting to miss licks that have never been a problem before. I'm starting to sweat because it seems like sometimes the more I practice it, the worse it gets. I've tried all sorts of things, like slowing down the passages, "aiming" for certain notes, and I am nailing them when I am finished practicing. But when I go to put it in context again in a run-through, with only that one chance, I screw it up maybe 50% of the time. I know this is some kind of mental block, because I've played the passages cleanly before, but I can't seem to stop choking. I need to feel 100% confident about this, or I'll be a wreck when I walk out on stage. And I've put in way too much work to fall on my face. Any help, advice and suggestions are appreciated.

ecarroll

ET,

What is the piece?

A) Practice at half tempi for a few days. This will help you to re-evaluate and commit to your ideas.

B) Listen to the piece over and over with your horn in the case.

C) Phone home

Watching here,
EC

EdwardsTrumpets

Hi Ed, it's me, Bill Takacs.

It's the Gregson Concerto. People are misconstruing what I'm trying to say, I guess. I'm not really concerned too much about the memory, but definitely moreso about the technique. I play this through with the orchestral recording every day, at least once, and lately, twice, once with the music and once without.

ecarroll

Bill,

I knew it was you, but the ET Phone Home reference was far to juicy to miss out on.


You have PLENTY of technique for the Gregson Concerto and I'm absolutely serious about repeated practice at half tempo. Hakan does this to brush off standard repertoire and it reconnects your brain with your air and tongue.

Play it through 10 times at half tempo, once at full tempo, and enjoy your performance. Maybe you can bring it to Chosen Vale (?)

Best,
EC (I can hear Gould screaming "just PLAY, dammit!")

EdwardsTrumpets

lol - I didn't catch the reference to ET. I'll try the half tempo thing. Funny, I experimented with looking at my fingers during the passages that are giving me trouble and it really helped. I don't know why, but it did. I don't normally look at my fingers while I play, but since I'm doing this memorized, I have the luxury of being able to look anywhere! I'll try it a few more times and see if it keeps working.

My plan was to play it at Chosen Vale as well - no word yet, however...