Three Steps to a Perfect Performance- #2 Preparation

written by on

We have had enough time to perfect our material to perfection. Notice that I didn’t say how fast we are now able to play it. If you are a less experienced player, you may be able to perform the material perfectly at the slowest tempo. Congratulations for you are on your way to performing the Etude without any “clams”. But if you think you are able to play this material at a faster tempo and are still making mistakes, continue at a tempo where you are able to play it without ANY mistakes! Don’t fool yourself into thinking you have accomplished your assignment for you are only cheating yourself. The great cornet soloist Herbert L. Clarke stated that he would not perform any solo unless he could play it ten times in a row without a mistake. What does that say about our standards for perfection?

Find the speed that you can perform every line repeatedly without an error. That is where you should be practicing. Perfect every time.

At this point in our exercise, I have been able to play every line perfectly at the 140mm but have yet to do so at the 152 tempo. So, I’ll give us all another week to accomplish our next level before we progress to the third phase of our assignment. Keep practicing and I’ll be back next week to move on.

Thank you for your patience.

 

Bruce was a member of the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, School of Music in Cedar Falls from 1969 until his retirement in 1999. He has performed with many well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Anita Bryant, Carman Cavalara, Victor Borgie, the Four Freshman, Blackstone the Magician, Bobby Vinton and John Davidson.

You Might Also Like

2 thoughts on “Three Steps to a Perfect Performance- #2 Preparation”

  1. Tom Carey

    I enjoyed your “15 Reasons…” article, so, stopping by to say hello. My wife and I lived in Waterloo for one year, 1976, our first year of teaching. During that year I played violin in the Waterloo Symphony and studied violin with Fred Halgedahl at UNI. (Is he still there?) I don’t think our paths ever crossed, but I noticed the UNI reference and it brought good memories. I like your blog, and kudos to you for remaining active with teaching and advice to brass players. I’m sure it is appreciated by many!

    • Bruce Chidester

      Thank you for your comments and I hope this finds you well.
      Keith Johnson and I worked together for many years, and we fit very well together. Keith’s strengths were directed toward the legit side and my interests were more the jazz side. We lost Keith a couple years ago which was very sad for I respected his intelligence and still consider him as an influence in my musical life. Most of the music faculty have either passed away or retired. Of the original Faculty Brass Quintet, Don Little and I might be the only ones still pumping it out.
      Thanks again for your support and UNI seems so far away in history but the slight glimmer of Jim Coffin still brings a smile to my aged face.
      The very best to you from Denton, Texas
      BC

Comments are closed.