Hi William. Ditto! My answer, when I realised these things could be a problem to me , was to improve my concentration level. At the outset of my career, perhaps when accuracy was not assured by the previous generation of players, this was my strong suit. - a determination to play each and every piece without splitting any note at all. It can be done and without sacrificing musicianship.
With pupils I employ the 'rule of ten'. If they have a difficult passage we isolate it and play it once slowly. Having practised it utilising different rhythms, it's played once again slowly. OK, now play it ten times in tempo without making a mistake and if you do make a mistake - it's back to zero. In extreme circumstances I put my wallet on the stand and say, "If you play this perfectly - and I mean perfectly - you can have the complete contents of my wallet!" Wow, see the beads of sweat! - on their brow not mine! I've never lost yet! Naturally, this method can be employed on well known, non-technical, solo material. It's all about mind games, setting targets for yourself and being determined to carry it through. So far as stamina is concerned, it's like playing sport - you need match fitness; and this can only be brought about by playing rehearsals and concerts regularly. You can never replicate concert conditions in private practise, no matter how loud and long you play. Regular, sensible practise and grabbing every playing opportunity there is - that's the only way. Everything diminishes with age - but don't tell anybody I said that! Cheers, Ralph On 24 Aug 2011, at 06:16, valkh...@aol.com wrote: > > > > Maybe it's my age, but I seem to be missing notes more than I used > to be. I also know there's a 'study' in the Farkas book regarding > accuracy, but I was wondering what the best studies/exercises/tools > were to improve accuracy? > > I also seem to be having endurance problems as I get older and play > less, so perhaps that has something to do with it? > > -William > > > _______________________________________________ > post: horn@memphis.edu > unsubscribe or set options at > https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/ralph%40brasshausmusic.com Ralph R. Hall ra...@brasshausmusic.com Ralph R. Hall http://www.brasshausmusic.com _______________________________________________ post: horn@memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
