Posted by Chuck Jackson on September 15, 2000 at 21:54:07:
In Reply to: Topics for masterclass? posted by John Dandy on September 15, 2000 at 21:07:42:
How about a "Getting Back To Basics" masterclass. Stress breathing, not only inhalation, but exhalation. Maybe work into the building blocks of music,i.e.: how to play beautiful whole notes, then half notes, then quarter notes, etc. I don't think anyone can stress the basics enough to players of all levels. I would defintely stress working the basics into your everyday practice through a good daily routine. Talk about the factors of a good routine and then give creative suggestions to avoid stagnation. The old premise that a long tone is a long tone may be true, but there must be 1000 different ways to do the same old thing. The one common failing I see in most of my students is the ability to hold a tone steady for 8-10 counts at MM=60. It's all about basics.