 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: beejay
Date: 2000-04-23 14:10
Could I ask some of you more experienced musicians out there how far you push the envelope when you start practicing new music. In other words, is it a good thing, or is it counter-productive, to work at something that you know is above your ability range in the expectation that eventually you will get to that standard, or should you move forward in incremental steps? Is it wrong to have an occasional attempt at the peaks while still laboring among the foothills? For example, I'm working on Corelli's La Follia, which is above my abilities. So I play it slow and work up the metronome little by little. I enjoy it a lot, but others tell me I shouldn't even try it until I've done a whole series of preparatory studies. Are they right? I practice scales, arpeggios and exercises religiously, by the way.
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 2000-04-24 02:15
There's a difference between actually working on a piece that's above your level (with the intention of performing it) and pulling it out to look at slowly for fun. I've got piles of music that's way above my level, and I pull them out every so often the same way you describe; they remind me what I'm working towards and give me goals to work on. However, seriously working on a piece that's far above your level will only be frustrating for you, because you'll know you're not playing it as well as you want to be able to. Your post doesn't sound frustrated, though, so I'd say you're safe ;-)
A P.S. to this is not to use a piece that you've worked up slowly and painstakingly like this, because it's far above your level, as audition or competition material. Yes, it will be impressive, but if anything goes awry in performance you won't be able to recover, and if it gets you a spot that's also above your abilities, you'll only earn resentment from others. Besides, I can assure you that it's a much more satisfying feeling to compete and audition well with material at your level--nothing feels better! Hope that helps.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2000-04-24 08:55
Many thanks for that helpful response, Katherine. I'm not in the least frustrated in what I'm playing, and I'm not planning to enter any contests, nor indeed do I have many opportunities to play with others. I play difficult pieces from time to time either because I enjoy them or because they pose a challenge to me -- and also, I suppose, because I have the impression that a technical problem overcome in one piece of music can be applied to another. A pianist with whom I occasionally play supports me in this thinking, but my private teacher comes from the "you must finish book two before you can look at book three" school. Since I don't have too many people around me to whom I can turn for advice, I thought this bulletin board might be able to offer some thoughts, which you certainly have.
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2000-04-24 21:01
If it's fun, there's nothing wrong with it. The opposite is also true, it's okay to practice the easy stuff. You wouldn't believe how much that helps. Since you've got the notes under your fingers you can experiment with different dynamics. I like to look at the really hard stuff too. It's kind of fun to see what you can play...and, I may add, it does wonders for your sightreading skills!
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Author: Heather Chesser
Date: 2000-04-25 04:35
Hi, I would just like to say that i do not think there is anything wrong with trying to play more advanved level music. As i practice, I also do the same thing and use a metronome, and build it up. I am working on some sonatas right now, and I am not to that level yet, but I like to see how much I can play just for something different. I totally agree with this, and I say go for it!!!
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