Playing a musical instrument is a physically demanding pastime. Lifting and holding an instrument for hours at a time, month after month, places huge physical demands on the body. And with those demands, fatigue and unhelpful playing habits can easily creep in. Whilst you might be taught the basics of how to a hold an […]
We live within a world of systems. And when going through the ‘music system’, there are some fairly common steps along the way – to pass your grade exams, to get a degree or performance diploma and ultimately, to get a job in an orchestra or band, build up a portfolio career of freelance engagements, […]
During any musician’s career, there will always be ‘standout performances’. Those that you remember. Because it was a special venue, a special programme, or just because everything really clicked for you in that performance. Becoming consistent But once that fabulous show is over, perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of musical performance is gaining […]
From starting to learn an instrument through to live performance, as musicians, we are given some form of instructions on how to play the instrument and music in front of us. That might include technical aspects such as how to pick up and hold an instrument, how to take a breath, how to hold and […]
Being on stage, performing freely and being able to express a piece of music in the way that you want it to sound, can be a really liberating experience. But learning new repertoire for first performance and actually achieving that level of freedom can be extremely challenging. As well as the difficult technical aspects that a […]
Depending on your career path, you might find yourself playing solo, orchestral, opera or chamber music. You might even jazz it up a bit and be involved in stage musicals, ballet, pop, or rock concerts. Or you might choose the odd niche and focus on period instrument performance, film music or contemporary music, to name […]
On its own, without musicians or an audience, a concert hall is just an inanimate object. Quiet, still and lifeless. But adding musicians and an audience should, if all goes well, bring it to life. However, musicians can do much of their formative training, practice and rehearsing away from the concert hall. And this can […]
Spending hours in the practice room can often feel like a solitary sport… But music is a collaborative game, rather than an art form that you do alone… There is always you and the composer… And the composer always gives you clues on how to perform their piece… You might not be able to see […]
