Freelance Cellist and Teacher
Jennie Khan is an Auckland based cellist and cello teacher. She has a variety of experience performing both here and in Europe and has been teaching students of all ages for many years.
This year has seen lockdown and social distancing measures put in place that have put many on a learning curve to deliver services in new ways. Face to face music lessons are usually a very personal experience. Here I share some tips from what I’ve learned in a month of doing online cello lessons, trying to keep motivation levels up and making the most of what we have.
Read MoreOver the summer break I worked out a good routine and schedule for my practice, so now it's easier to drop back into it as time allows.
There are lots of tips and tricks online about effective practicing, but here I describe what a my practice sessions actually look like - the nuts and bolts if you will - sometimes I find it helps to see what those ideas look like in a practical sense, to then adapt it to your own practice.
Read MoreAnother year has come to an end, 2019 has dawned. I always find this a good time to reflect, looking on what went well and what could be iimproved. This past year, there have been many ups and downs, but highlight of the year, was playing the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto with the Philharmonic Society Orchestra.
Read MoreEven the most innovative of artists has influencers, those that have gone before that have been an inspiration. As musicians, when we interpret a piece of music, we must draw on our own experiences to find our inspiration.
I find it really interesting to know what music people choose to listen to and I wanted to share some of my music choices, turns out it's a very eclectic range.
Is 'good' technique imperative to being a successful instrumentalist, or merely a means for artistic musical expression? Considering both my own and my students techniques I find myself somewhat conflicted. Does the effort of prioritising technical mastery find itself at odds with taking the journey through enjoyable and inspirational repertoire?
Read MoreA new year has begun, and I find it's a good time to reflect on how everything has been going, things that worked, things that didn't. I feel that this year, things have started to turn a corner in terms of work, but the big thing which I struggled with most this year was my brain. Mental health issues can be a big barrier to success, an obstacle on the journey. But with the right support and techniques there can be ways through, implementing those is top of the list for 2018.
Read MoreMost of us know music is an artistic, emotional and often spiritual expression of ourselves. Listening to music can get us excited, cheer us up, it can equally be relaxing and conciliatory.
Playing music can be a reprieve from the daily grind but we can put enormous pressure on ourselves, and this can result in a lot of tensions and anxiety relating to our music.
There has been a lot of publicity about 'Mindfulness' in recent times, I find the idea of focus in the moment and non-judgmental awareness fits in very well in music practice.
New years resolutions that get made in the relaxed and festive 'bubble' of the holiday season, inevitably get forgotten, once the all the parties are over and the reality of life returns.
The antidote might be to make an actual plan - something to work towards and a way to get there. And what better than a plan for practice?
I had the great fortune these last school holidays of assisting in taking a local youth orchestra on a tour to France. The trip surpassed many of my expectations and I found the reaction of both the young musicians and our audiences inspiring.
Music traverses cultural and linguistic barriers. It was fantastic seeing these kids really getting involved and how much they just love music...
Musicians are athletes of a sort. Producing music can be extremely physically demanding, not in the same sense as a marathon runner or a footballer, but it can nonetheless be very demanding on our body. So when i comes to getting fit, the 'Why' is easy; improved physical well being, improved mental well being, better stamina, endurance, focus, alertness, strength. All things that are certainly useful when faced with a grueling rehearsal and performance schedule.
The 'How' is not so straightforward to answer....
Read MoreAs we get back into work and school for the year it is the perfect time to start developing good habits... or renew the good habits that have been let slide over the holidays.
The key to successful and productive practice is routine and quality. I'm not talking about the quality of the playing but rather the quality of the practice...
Read MorePractice is an interesting thing, there are good ways and bad ways to do it, there are also different opinions on what is the best way. I came to the realisation over the last 12 months or so that I needed to brush up on my practice technique and give it the time that it needed. Practice is as much psychological as physical, keep bringing your concentration back to what you are trying to achieve. Only practice as long as you can maintain your full attention on the notes you are working on...
Read MoreKeeping motivated is important for all musicians. Practicing, performing and playing in general can all present us with challenges to a degree that we start to have doubts. If you isolate the problem then there are ways to overcome it....
Read MoreThe intention of this blog is to share my experiences, ideas and advice to help you to become a better musician. To share techniques and philosophies on how you can improve your playing both physically and mentally.
Read More
