musical wd logo2Recently, while in the preparation phase of a presentation, I asked what some of our college students wished they had known before coming to study at a more advanced level. Some of these students were still in High School, some were college music majors or non-majors, and others were adults from the community. They were surprised by the question but most seemed pleased to be asked their opinion and took it quite seriously.

I’ve condensed the responses into this list. The items are in no particular order.

 

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  1. Understanding rhythmic subdivisions & underlying impulses
  2. Ability to start anywhere in a piece
  3. Playing artistically with the score
  4. How to learn a lot of pieces and keep them all going without working on each daily
  5. How to handle slips and embarrassing situations. (feeling ok about results when time is short)
  6. Ability to connect musically beyond a few dynamics and ritards
  7. I didn’t know there was more than one correct way to do things! The why’s of style and genres
  8. Organization of practice & practice skills beyond repetition
  9. Understanding how a piece is put together
  10. Reverse: how to simplify/edit and keep essence of piece
  11. I didn’t know how much you all do! What is really involved in being a musician/teacher

Pretty much everyone said the same things. Nobody said I wish I could read better. Nobody said I would have loved to have learned more scales and Hanon. They really all had the big picture in mind.

The question is, no matter what the level, do we?

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