Creating Your Personal Repertoire

Some music educators feel it's important to have a playable repertoire ready to play at a moment's notice. Why do we feel this way?

The reason it is important to have a repertoire ready to play (even if the repertoire is Mary Had A Little Lamb and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) is because it is satisfying to the player as well as any listener; and in addition, it keeps the player motivated to continue learning new music.  Think about it--if you've been studying architecture, baseball stats, finance, ballet, or any other activity, the more you build upon your foundation of knowledge, the more excited you are to keep studying.  In music, the way we keep our repertoire list fresh and ready to play, is by reviewing the pieces we've already learned.

 

Reviewing Repertoire

Enjoy the repetition of your songs that you've worked so hard to learn by choosing one or two pieces to review each time you practice.

Notice how you glide right over that fingering that used to be difficult and can direct your thoughts to the phrasing and musicality of the piece.

Luxuriate in the wholeness and beauty of the music.  You have earned the privilege of conveying the composer's wishes because you've mastered the technique of the piece.

If you are helping a child review their pieces, the above concepts will be second nature to them.  Watch as they musically blossom after reviewing their songs over many months and years.

Adult Music Students



Are you an adult music student?  Or, are you thinking of dusting off your old instrument and starting to play again?  What a good idea!

As you know, learning how to play an instrument has so many benefits.  Not only does playing an instrument focus your mind away from all the cares of the world, it fosters your creativity in all aspects of your life.  After you start practicing, you may notice a new calm in your daily awareness, too.  Maybe you will take a different approach with that problem at work.  You will probably be more cheerful as you go about your day and week.  As with children studying music, your focus and attention will be enhanced because you've been cultivating the two during your practice sessions.

Don't forget to have your instrument cleaned up or repaired if it's been awhile since you've played it.  Many music stores offer a repair service or are able to refer you to someone that may help you get it back in good shape.

Invite yourself into the wonderful world of music!

Practicing For A Performance

                    

Sometimes we or our children have a recital or another kind of performance coming up in the future.  You may want to change your thinking about practicing, at least until the performance is over.

Here are some tips for getting ready for a performance:

 

* Spend a litte more time (5 - 30 minutes depending upon your age and ability) warming up with tone and technique exercises. These are the basics for musical performance and offer a foundation of support from which to emote. This may mean spending a bit less time practicing new repertoire and other exercises; but, you may put those "on hold" until after the performance.

* Visualize the performance. Many athletes use this technique to get ready for a game or competition. Close your eyes and imagine the room or recital hall, see yourself sitting in the auditorium getting ready to play, or backstage behind the curtains. Feel yourself walking on stage and taking in the atmosphere--there may be audience members moving, whispering, etc. What will it feel like to take that first breath or strike that first chord?

* Play this simple game while practicing your performance pieces: Start out playing your piece from the beginning but stop suddenly and wait 5 - 10 seconds. Then, start playing again exactly where you left off. Stop again in another random place in the piece and wait 5 - 10 seconds. Start playing again exactly where you left off. This game helps with concentrating/focusing and also helps psychologically reassure you that you would be able to go on playing if you were to make a mistake while performing.

* Remember that the composer of your performance piece wrote it so that you could play it and give others the gift of his or her piece. And, here's hoping it will bring you great joy, as well.

While some of these tips are rather sophisticated and wouldn't be appropriate for a young child, you may draw upon the tips that would work for you and your child.

Good luck!