Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up”. Having to make career choices, compete for jobs, and face the judgement of the public becomes the musician’s artistic juggernaut, stiffling mature creativity.
Insist on being an artist when performing by displaying the creativity of your personal musical choices. Accomplish the task through diligence and thoughtfulness. The following three selection criteria provides insights for choosing performance music based on the philosophy that creativity can blossom when watered with technique and fertilized properly with style. Use these guidelines to ensure creative and moving interpretations at a future recital or performance.
1. Musical Taste
Take the time to focus specifically on finding literature that is personally exciting when planning a recital or performance. Express your identity through your choices in repertoire. Appealing music is more easily practiced and this one factor will contribute in a large way to the creative aspect of any performance!
2. Capacity
With a capacity for creativity founded on technical and musical abilities, it is imperative to choose literature that is learnable. Musicality supersedes technical showmanship so plan on dazzling the audience with an expressive connection rather than technical flourishing. Choose music with accessible mechanical components so that focus can be reserved for musical interpretation.
When programming a recital or concert, take the opportunity to make some wise literature choices specifically by avoiding an overly technical program. One approach is the meal model. This type of programming features lighter works as the appetizer and desert with a more difficult piece presented in between as a featured entrée. Sharing the spotlight is another way to insure a smooth show. Inviting others to take part can help lighten the performance load and there are other benefits. Partner up for a duet or lead a combo to provide variety and display communication skills to the audience.
3. Preparation
Setting up some goals when tackling new literature for performances is a tactic that each musician should perfect. Assess the difficulty of each potential piece. Ask a few questions that can help shape your intentions: how long is each work when performed, will other musicians need rehearsal time? Remember that the music has to be learned well before even one rehearsal with accompanists. Adding a pianist or orchestra to a tune for the first time presents many new challenges and often requires additonal rehearsal time. A successful performance usually means a run-through of the program in it’s entirety many times before an actual gig date.
By choosing literature that facilitates and stimulates personal creativity, a musician can ensure a most memorable performance. Take a moment to share what you have chosen for your next performance and why, comments below are open!
