One of the biggest issues I encounter when adjudicating orchestra festivals and assessments and contests is that so many of our musicians are just so timid! They are so timid in fact, that their tone suffers, they produce a weak sound, and the ensemble on whole lacks depth, control, and power.
I love doing clinics in schools and here are the 7 phrases I actually use that boost confidence, encourage depth of tone, and lead to that controlled and cohesive, yet resonant sound we love so much!
At the beginning of a rehearsal: “My only goal for you today is to play out. I promise not to call you out if you get something wrong, just do your best to play out.” (For string players, I will also say “down by the bridge, down by the frog, weight, speed, let’s go!”)
For longer notes during which they are dying out… “Let’s spin the energy through to the very end of these longer notes here!”
For dotted notes and ties… “Let’s crescendo through these so that we can build some momentum and propel our listeners into the syncopated moment that is simultaneously unexpected, yet delightful, and so so catchy once they experience it!”
For accented notes… “Can you give me more BITE on that accent. I want the beginning of that note to be as crunchy as a Taki!”
For super slow passages “Let’s hear that quiet energy, swelling up from out of the instrument!”
For soft passages that require greater depth… “This is not meant to be simply ‘quiet…’ No… This is meant to be the stirring of greatness, bubbling just beneath the surface. Maintain a gentle, but purposeful vibrato, keep the energy building.”
For a group who is nearly there… “Sure, you’re playing the notes on the page, but have you breathed life into them yet? Have you drawn them off the page, into existence? What story do these notes tell?”
Want the printable PDF for this? Just click HERE and download!
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