Anthony’s August 2016 recollections

Anthony's August 2016 recollections

Anthony’s August 2016 recollections

My activities during the month has been mainly quite a few discoveries regarding pieces for a concert, plus students progression of the learning process- and my own understanding of technique in general. I was surprised by a rapid progression of students who I have taught thus far. An A level violin student originally had inconsistency on the tone. We addressed the exact issues of tone production and the bowing principles that allows for it. Of course a sound technical knowledge is key to boosting the students’ confidence. I don’t believe we are truly confident about a scenario unless we know how to do something- and able to explain it; even compare it to an everyday familiar action or situation

On piano- just by addressing the fundamentals of the technique and how it applies to a piece. Students can see a visible set of tools- rather than a countless mass of different pieces- it seems more simpler and accessible to them.

I think the most important thing is realising that the mind works best when it processes only one bit of information at a time. If they learn a piece- they need to learn the fingers first (the most fundamental) then work towards the bigger picture (technique- then interpretation) The first time a student learns (especially a beginner familiarising the instrument)- the notes come first- then the counting/rhythms after. Dynamics/sound come last. It’s excessive to focus on more than 2 elements at once- it needs to be layered one at a time. Otherwise it would take longer to learn a piece of music. 2 students in particular have reached grade one from starting the instrument in little more than a year.

In concerts- the previous piano was very good with chords and yet had a loud bass- probably ideal for Debussy or heavier 20th century repertoire- the response was quite slow but the adapting to Scaramuzza technique responds better.

I have had consideration for 2 pieces in the next concert. I hope students would benefit from seeing how there are different sides to music. Each piece can tell a different story whether it is comical, dark, or has expressive depth. Technique isn’t just to access a piece of music but it is also communication- in particular body language.

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