When I first began studying with the fantastic concert pianist, Mark Wescott, he discussed all type of things that I had never heard before. During my coaching and in his master classes he was discussing things which no guitar instructor had ever said. He had a totally diverse way of approaching music, plus it was unbelievably good at making emotional connection with listeners. When he played, you couldn't help but listen. It really was that great. This is why I took him on as a coach. I desired to understand what it was he was talking about. (Just to be clear, he plays piano, I play guitar. Mainly we focus on interpretation issues and phrasing.)
A classic idea
One of the primary tenants of his approach to music, and today mine also, is the idea of the long line. This isn't a brand new concept. Musicians for hundreds of years have been talking about this, and also pursuing it. Therefore please don't think this really is my (or even his) concept in any fashion, shape or form. I wish it was, but it is not.
The idea of what it is:
The long line is actually an aspiration for our playing. The long line is really a particular level of engagement and continuity throughout a whole piece of music. It could exist in a small piece of music, as well as a large piece of music. Even as large as Wagner's Ring Cycle. The effect of developing a long line is the fact that audience are engaged from the very first note till the very last note. There is an energetic force that propels the music forward and keeps the music vitalized plus alive. There's the same concept in writing, in films, in storytelling of all kinds.
Sign me up!
Clearly, we would all like to play in a way as to have listeners' rapt attention for each and every nanosecond that were playing. It is a primary reason that people play, to share music and also the experience of a certain piece of music.
The effects of simply actively playing notes:
Nevertheless, it is regrettably an undeniable fact that this quality of playing is fairly rare these days. I am unable to name all that numerous players who consistently convey this quality, on any instrument, but especially guitar. And the result of this is that audience, musicians and non-musician alike, are likely to form opinions and also assumptions about music as well as the guitar generally according to their own substandard experiences.
I have spoken with several music lovers who sheepishly said to me that they never genuinely liked guitar music. And the reason was that they had not had any positive experiences.
Just as in almost any other art form, exposure creates awareness, awareness creates appreciation, and also appreciation produces demand. There is relatively hardly any interest in classical guitar music today. So perhaps there is a correlation here.
Forward and Up: searching deeper
Consequently one definitive key to creating more meaningful musical experiences for audience, is usually embracing and also pursuing the long line. It is not necessarily the simplest road to take, but it's considered one of the most satisfying, personally as well as for your own listeners. Many of the basic presumptions and also performance habits we've learned from our own teachers, and they from theirs, actually serve to stop the long line, and also undermine the musical continuity that we are pursuing.
The Long Line:
-Takes focus
-Takes persistence and attention
-Is easy for players at all levels
-Builds technique and deepens musical understanding
-Is worth the effort
A classic idea
One of the primary tenants of his approach to music, and today mine also, is the idea of the long line. This isn't a brand new concept. Musicians for hundreds of years have been talking about this, and also pursuing it. Therefore please don't think this really is my (or even his) concept in any fashion, shape or form. I wish it was, but it is not.
The idea of what it is:
The long line is actually an aspiration for our playing. The long line is really a particular level of engagement and continuity throughout a whole piece of music. It could exist in a small piece of music, as well as a large piece of music. Even as large as Wagner's Ring Cycle. The effect of developing a long line is the fact that audience are engaged from the very first note till the very last note. There is an energetic force that propels the music forward and keeps the music vitalized plus alive. There's the same concept in writing, in films, in storytelling of all kinds.
Sign me up!
Clearly, we would all like to play in a way as to have listeners' rapt attention for each and every nanosecond that were playing. It is a primary reason that people play, to share music and also the experience of a certain piece of music.
The effects of simply actively playing notes:
Nevertheless, it is regrettably an undeniable fact that this quality of playing is fairly rare these days. I am unable to name all that numerous players who consistently convey this quality, on any instrument, but especially guitar. And the result of this is that audience, musicians and non-musician alike, are likely to form opinions and also assumptions about music as well as the guitar generally according to their own substandard experiences.
I have spoken with several music lovers who sheepishly said to me that they never genuinely liked guitar music. And the reason was that they had not had any positive experiences.
Just as in almost any other art form, exposure creates awareness, awareness creates appreciation, and also appreciation produces demand. There is relatively hardly any interest in classical guitar music today. So perhaps there is a correlation here.
Forward and Up: searching deeper
Consequently one definitive key to creating more meaningful musical experiences for audience, is usually embracing and also pursuing the long line. It is not necessarily the simplest road to take, but it's considered one of the most satisfying, personally as well as for your own listeners. Many of the basic presumptions and also performance habits we've learned from our own teachers, and they from theirs, actually serve to stop the long line, and also undermine the musical continuity that we are pursuing.
The Long Line:
-Takes focus
-Takes persistence and attention
-Is easy for players at all levels
-Builds technique and deepens musical understanding
-Is worth the effort
About the Author:
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