 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-04-09 11:26
I just heard a recording of myself performing the Osborne Rhapsody. I was told it was a great performance, but listening to it, I hear problems which I thought weren't as much of an issue as I first thought.
First thing I noticed was my tone. It's a lot heaver than I thought, and I obviously didn't keep the shape of my throat up because there is some slight bending in some areas. My legato is simply not there... Note for note, it sounds like I use a whole new air stream.
Secondly is that the version of this piece didn't coincide with what I was actually playing as much as I thought either. I wished for it to be faster, more exciting, more contrasting. But there was less dynamic contrast than my ears perceived, as well as some tempo issues. The grace notes near the middle of the piece stick out distractingly. The music, as a whole, as a composition, did not phrase consistently.
Overall, I have a lot to do as far as working on my legato, air stream, and maintaining throat position go. My musical perception was less than realistic, and next time needs further insight. Luckily, this was the first performance, and this work is to be played in October in my recital.
Now... Comments anyone?
PS> If anyone so wishes, I am able to provide an MP3 of the performance. Just send me a friendly email!
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2003-04-09 13:26
In most everything we do, we are usually our own worst critics. A fairer criticism of your work would probably need to come from a disinterested party listening to your recording. I'd volunteer if I felt qualified. (Hmm...Did I just say something about us being our own worst critics?)
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Author: Tom Piercy
Date: 2003-04-09 13:56
Morrigan,
You've learned a valuable lesson in that what we often think and feel is going on in a performance is quite often different from the reality of it.
It is a great idea to record your performances, rehearsals and practice sessions and listen to them very critically as it seems you have done. Listen, analyze, learn and grow.
It is important to remember to be inside and outside of the performance at the same time -- balancing the subjective with the objective. Just because you feel something musical in a performance doesn't mean it is actually happening or that the audience is feeling the same thing; quite often the contrary and sometimes what you "feel" in performance is irrelevant. Again, balancing the subjective with the objective is important.
It seems you know what to listen for and your ears are picking up on some of your technicaal and musical problems in this piece. Continue taping yourself; don't wait for performances -- tape your practice sessions as well.
Analyze in great detail what the problem areas are; figure out and experiment with ways to improve those areas. I'm sure you know techniques in which to improve those areas, but also ask your teacher to go over ways to improve the areas you mentioned. Without actually hearing the performance, it is difficult to give you the detailed, not general, advice you need at this point.
Tom Piercy
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-04-09 14:02
Morrigan -
When you listen to yourself, it's easy to pick out what went wrong. Listen again, picking out everything that went right. That's what the audience heard.
Artur Rubinstein often dropped notes, but you listened to his wonderful playing. Even the big mistakes made no difference.
Of course you always want to improve. But concentrating to what goes right is what makes a good performer.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: jk
Date: 2003-04-09 14:37
Concentrating on what goes...good and bad - period - is what makes a great performer. You have to listen to what goes wrong as well as what goes right. What good does it do if you are not crtical of the things that need improvement. Otherwise, you sit around in self glory and don't necessarily improve.
As for people hearing the good in a performace? Yes, they hear the good, but I'm sure they, or some of them, also hear the missed notes, the bad intonation, boring phrasing, flat dynamics (not that that is how Morrigan played). It is important for a performer to be self-critical, to know what went well and what did not. It is not good enough to only go along with what the audience thinks.
You have to do both - hear the good - enjoy it, YES, and learn how to improve the other elements so your performances are more consistant with all your playing elements approaching the same level.
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Author: Tom Piercy
Date: 2003-04-09 14:47
(Above posting)
Sorry - didn't want it to seem I was hiding behind another name.
I signed on to Phorum on a different computer.
I feel strongly about this are of being self-critical because I have students who only hear the good when they listen to themselves, or only hear the praising comments from others, and then think they are much better than they are. They then become upset and surprised when others, especially others with some influence - such as teachers, directors, conductors and audition committees - don't agree with the student's perception.
A balance of good- bad; subjective - objective...
C'est moi.
Tom Piercy
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Author: Karel
Date: 2003-04-10 03:01
Morrigan, David Hattner was providing a service of evaluating a performance and giving a "tutorial input". That is, if you want a professional opinion.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-04-10 04:15
Thanks guys, you're all right in one way or another.
I've had so many requests for the MP3, so I'm just going to post it here.
However, at the moment, I have having trouble with my web site. It doesn't seem to be working at all!!
In the next few days, I will rectify this, and have the MP3 there to download. I'll let you all know.
Check back at www.tim-ieraci.com, that's my web site.
=]
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-04-10 04:36
Many times, the recordings don't do justice to a performance and serve to discourage the performer too much. One should also rely upon one's ears to hear how the performance went as it was played. I'll bet it went a lot better than the recording shows!
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-04-10 13:20
A recent eBay listing included a sound clip of the clarinet being played. It was horrible.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-04-10 18:18
Recording is a very effective way of getting a sense of your performance. As long as you don't have the mic stuffed up the bell and position it from an audience perspective, it is a very revealing way of understanding how you actually did -- projection, tone, phrasing, articulation, pitch, consistency of time, etc. ad nauseum.
Remember the majority of the professional music biz is now recorded. This is what we do and how most of our audiences relate to us. If we can't sound competent on tape, there is a message in that. Morrigan, this is not to denigrate your performance at all. You did a smart thing and your next performance will benefit from studying that recording. Practice with a recorder and see how you make out fixing what you didn't like.
Also, always have respect for your audience. Great performers play to the most critical ears in the hall (other than your own).
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