Getting Ready For The Recording Studio

Sound Reason Music Group Minneapolis, Minnesota

At some time in your musical life you may be preparing to go into the recording studio to record either audio or audio/visual.  So, that means you may be recording for the purpose of making a CD and/or recording for the purpose of making a music video that people will be listening to and watching at the same time.  "Miss Joan" and her quartet made a music video recently and I have included that in this posting for your watching and listening pleasure. (just click on the Sound Reason link at the top of this page) This particular video was dedicated to a musician friend/mentor of mine as well as his family.

Practicing toward a goal of going to the recording studio is identical to practicing for a performance or recital.  I have written about this topic before in my blog so I'll reprint what I had written on that topic.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

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.