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Re: Difference between orch excerpts and orchestal playing

Author: GBK
Date: 2006-06-11 04:51

Mastering an orchestral solo in the practice room is only part of the equation. You must also know how your part fits into the overall picture.

Who are you playing with during your solo?
What are the potential intonation problems?
How should you blend with the other instruments?
Are you thinking about tone color?
What phrasing are you using?
Is your articulation accurate? Is it consistant with the style called for?
Does your breathing/phrasing match the other instruments around you?
Are you projecting with a full, responsive sound?

and the list goes on.....

One of the biggest mistakes that students make when practicing excerpts on their own, is not counting the rests carefully.

Inaccurate rest counting is a rhythmic error, plain and simple.

I've seen many students practice orchestral excerpts, learning the passages cold, yet to make foolish counting mistakes with rests.

Knowing how to play selected excerpts is only half of the work required. You must also know how your ENTIRE part (as as well as important excerpt) is related to the work as a whole.

Get as many scores as possible. The only way to fully understand how your part fits is to see in print what is going on around you.

Remember - there is a world of difference between playing Rachmaninov #2 by yourself in the practice room or getting one chance to "nail it" under pressure on stage in front of a full concert audience...GBK

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