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 Recording our practice?
Author: Brenda 
Date:   2003-09-26 16:13

For you teachers out there, how advantageous is it to have students record their practicing? I don't imagine it would be something to do every day, but especially as the student gets closer to an important event it should help the person hear himself from another vantage point. Is this a technique that some professionals use at all before a big concert? My daughter's vocal instructor has her students record every single lesson for use during the subsequent week.



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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Woodwinder 
Date:   2003-09-26 17:28

Recording can be very advantageous, if you listen with an open mind. The problem is that if you don't have a $45/hr. sound mixer propping up your tone, you will probably have a thin sound. You won't get your usual overtones, and that can even mess with your intonation on the playback. If you think you really sound like that, it can be disheartening. But my son (a drummer) was working with a new band, and they kept telling him he was missing beats. Well, being my son, I knew that wasn't the case, so I suggested a recording. Sure enough, it was the guitar player. It becomes obvious what the problems are.
I'd also suggest that not every lesson be recorded. The act of recording can be a huge distraction from the music. Sometimes you need a little freedom.

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: JMcAulay 
Date:   2003-09-26 17:33

It's excellent. Lessons, too. Instructor comments won't be forgotten if they are memorialized.

Regards,
John

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Synonymous Botch 
Date:   2003-09-26 20:06

Recording myself? Are you insane?

The LAST thing I want to do is hear myself, again.

Imagine my surprise when playing back the tape (nice DAT, good mic)...

rather than the dulcet tones of Kenny Davern, I heard a cunning approximation of Acker Bilk!

The horror...

********

The room is a big contributor to the overall sound, and mine is all hard surfaces... which emphasizes the 'wheezy' aspect any wind instrument.

If a sample recording be made, best if it is in a performance hall where the sound has a chance to even out as it travels.

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Brenda 
Date:   2003-09-26 21:16

Wouldn't it be nice to find a recorder that filters the sound with "pink glasses"!! However, if we listen to the recording with the understanding that the sound won't be the best and rather listen for timing, rhythm and so forth, that should be a good exercise to listen to ourselves the way our poor teachers have to hear us.



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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: David Spiegelthal 2017
Date:   2003-09-26 21:46

I've hardly ever recorded myself practicing, but for years I've used trusty reel-to-reel or (in a pinch) cassette tape recorders to record orchestra and wind ensemble concerts I've played --- this has been very helpful to me in developing a better sound, dynamics, phrasing, and improving my intonation. Often what I hear in my own playing is embarrassing or depressing, but that's part of the "continuous product improvement" process (as they say in the manufacturing world). I always make an effort to provide copies of my concert recordings (if desired) to the conductor of the group and any of the members who might want one (which to my never-ending surprise is fewer than you'd expect). Since I always use the same "coincident" (ORTF) 2-microphones-on-one-stand setup, I also get a good feel for room acoustics.

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Rachel 
Date:   2003-09-27 05:39

I got to hear myself the other day when I watched a video of a performance my orchestra did. I didn't sound anywhere near as bad as I thought I did at the time. :)

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: ron b 
Date:   2003-09-27 06:10

I never did get as hot as I thought I was goin' to... [frown]



- ron b -

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: sömeone 
Date:   2003-09-27 15:52

Well i believe it may as much prove to be a very valuable and good learning tool. Well if someone would suggest a tranportable and reliable mini recorder that doesn't sound too bad and at least will be able to record the bass parts what would it be?

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Brenda 
Date:   2003-09-27 17:01

When writing about recording our own practice, I was thinking of using a regular portable cassette recorder. Not great playback sound, but it does the trick.

If you want to go further, the SmartMusic computer program comes to mind. It's an incredibly versitile program that lets you practice with accompaniment, change the tempo while you play, and record whenever you want. It'll even grade you! Of course you'd have to have a computer and speakers in your practice room.

Some would go to great lengths to have all this recording equipment, but that's not too practical for most of us just for everyday use, but great if you have it.



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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: n_hanson12 
Date:   2003-09-29 23:40

My teacher has been recording my lessons for a few weeks now in preparation for an upcoming audition. We did this at the same time last year. Today, I found the tapes from exactly one year ago. I was amazed at the difference! It was a real confidence booster to be able to hear the improvement from the time I started becoming serious about clarinet until now. It was incredible.
Just my 2 cents.

~Nicki



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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: diz 
Date:   2003-09-30 00:29

Funny, years ago, before electricity was even invented, I used to survive my music lessons without the aid of recording ... it's a wonder I ever turned out able to play!?! Go figure.

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Brenda 
Date:   2003-09-30 01:40

Diz, you'd probably survive anything and think you did well! Hey, we haven't heard you yet! (Oops, neither have you heard us yet.)



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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: diz 
Date:   2003-09-30 01:55

Brenda - make sure Niagra's nice and frozen, OK?, I'll play a clarinet for your when I'm in Ontario later this year.

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2003-09-30 01:56

Let the rest of us know, too - I visit the area frequently ... (Abe Galper and other friends are in the Toronto metro area, just a hop, skip, & jump from me ...)

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: diz 
Date:   2003-09-30 01:59

Mark - it would be a blast to meet you, of course. I'll be in southern Ontario (wherever the heck that is). And lookin' forward to it.

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2003-09-30 02:01

Southern Ontario is a big place ... cities?

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: diz 
Date:   2003-09-30 02:03

Um, Windsor I think or was that London, can't remember ... I'd better ask my friends in the clarinet choir I guess. I think it's not too far for me to travel to Toronto ... afterall, I understand "Wild Oscars" is an intersting club, or so my Aussie friends tell me.

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Brenda 
Date:   2003-09-30 11:08

Mark, it's our Clarinet Choir. Give you any clues? I didn't know you came this way. Abe Galper was the teacher of our clarinet teachers, he's got quite a reputation around here. He's getting on in years but still has his studio and teaches from time to time. I've been to a lesson with him, but he's quite a distance to be going every week - and then the traffic to get there!



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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: Mark Charette 
Date:   2003-09-30 11:53

Brenda wrote:

> Mark, it's our Clarinet Choir. Give you any clues?

Not really - but I see your ISP is in London.

> I didn't
> know you came this way. Abe Galper was the teacher of our
> clarinet teachers, he's got quite a reputation around here.
> He's getting on in years but still has his studio and teaches
> from time to time. I've been to a lesson with him, but he's
> quite a distance to be going every week - and then the traffic
> to get there!

I stay with Abe & Charna from time to time, used to stay at the Wheel's Inn when the kids were younger during the really cold winter days, and my mom and two of my sisters live in Canadaigua, NY - so I use Ontario as a shortcut on my drive over.  :)

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 Re: Recording our practice?
Author: ClaRiNeT_CaNdY 
Date:   2003-10-04 16:25


You really need a good recorder.. lousy recorders may discourage or demoralise you

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