Articles
Miyazawa Featured Artist Interview
May 2008 -- "I think that a great teacher provides years of inspiring moments. Of course there are great moments of realization, for instance, when Julius Baker said to me "change your tone," that truly take your playing to a higher level. But there are also the other comments that come back as you need them as you proceed in this musical journey. Sam Baron was a great analyst and his approaches to understanding music and working on music are still with me today and are passed on to my students. Precision and perfection are the qualities that Jeanne Baxtresser embodies in her playing and she continues to inspire me to play at the highest level that I can. . . ."
A Tribute to Julius Baker (1915-2003)
Our world will never be the same. Yet, it is so much richer for his presence. I feel even more intensely the great privilege that I enjoyed by working with him.
Playing Pain Free, or Why I Hold My Flute Straight
In my junior year, I began to experience pain in my upper back when I would practice. At first, it would happen only after a long practice session. But soon, I could not practice for more than 20 minutes without having to stop! Needless to say, I was quite upset. . . .
Making a Positive Impact
Specifically, when a child makes a mistake or executes a technique incorrectly, put the blame on the body part, not the child. For example, if the left index finger is left down on middle E-flat say, "that finger is sleepy today, we need to wake him up and have him stand up for E-flat." This usually receives some giggles, and the child does not feel personally criticized.
Five Steps to a Polished Piece
. . . We are now at the most critical point. Too often I hear students performing at a masterclass or competition who have only completed the first three steps. The following two steps can transform a piece into music. . . .
Some Thoughts on Auditions
One of my teachers used to practice in the most "dead" space that he could find so that he could be prepared for the worst. He would also turn down the heat so that he could play in cold temperatures.
A Guide to Concert Etiquette
Do your practicing and warming up at home. Avoid long practice sessions backstage if you can be heard in the hall. Audience members do not want to hear you practice, they want to hear you perform.
More Than Just the Notes
Art provides humanity with the opportunity to experience its emotions and to relate to the rest of humanity. People attend concerts to experience the beauty and the power of music and all that goes into the music -- not just the notes. . . .
Memorization
As a student advances, point out the patterns that are already known, such as scales and arpeggios. As students learn to recognize the construction of their music, learning becomes easier.
Performance Anxiety
Duplicate the performance situation when you can. Practice your program in the clothes (especially the shoes) that you are planning to wear. It will also help if you can practice in the hail where you will be performing.