Many of you have undoubtedly experienced the frustration of working hard
on a piece, perhaps even getting to a point where you can play through it
accurately,
and still being dissatisfied with the way it sounds.
Perhaps you visited a teacher and received some pointers on rhythm,
tempo, articulation, or dynamics. No doubt you returned to your studio
to work on these points and were still frustrated with the sound of the
music.
If so, we suggest the source for your frustration is the sound itself.
The sound has probably gotten relatively little attention in this process.
This all too common. There are millions of well meaning teachers out there.
Many
of them play beautifully. The problem is simply that the issue of sound and
relating it sensibly and personally to a given piece is very difficult to
verbalize.
This is especially true where students, with
less than professional aspirations or more timid dispositions are concerned.
John Lagerquist has developed an approach to this critical musical problem,
that has proven to be very effective.
John works on sound for its own sake. Illustrations from scientific
sources are used to establish the fact that sound is a chaotic phenomenon.
He debunks the commonly accepted notion that a note is a symbol for a
single event. Even the crudest performance contains far more aural
information than the printed page.
All of this other information comes directly from your brain. It cannot be
otherwise. When these concepts are understood, you are ready to accept
sound variation as the basis of musical interest and, most importantly, of
performing in a highly personal way.
Very quickly you experience:
- yourself as the point of origin for any changes you "will" to the
sound
- that you can improve substantially RIGHT NOW, rather than in some months
or years of striving to be correct enough
- that you can have genuine self-confidence
The bests results are experienced with students who are somewhat skilled
and self-motivated. This approach is particularly well suited to the
Master-Class situation, even if a diverse level of
ability is involved.
If what this is of interest. Please contact us
to discuss a special coaching session for you, your students, or your flute
club.
