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.
Over 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 MoreGiven that I talk a lot about using a metronome I wanted to tell you about the Metronome App that I use: Pro Metronome by EUMLab
I have looked for other metronomes which can do everything I want, but I can't find one except for Pro Metronome.
Read MoreIs '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 MoreFor some, the metronome is the bane of their existence, something to be groaned at. But not me, for me it's one of the most useful tools I have for a good practice session. These are my top 5 creative uses to get the best out of that little ticking box.
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?
When we really listen to music, we are paying attention, it's not just going on in the background while we think of what we are having for tea or ticking things off the To Do list. We notice the rhythm and harmonies, changes in key or tempo.
When you are playing the music, you must be aware of all these things as well as create them.
It takes concentration...
As 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 MoreLearning an instrument can involve many physical challenges and it is often necessary to find a certain level of familiarity in navigating it before things like tone and accuracy can really be fine tuned. However, there are simple exercises that can be practised to simultaneously develop the ear that need only a little technical skill. These are just as important as learning where the notes are on the stave or where to put your fingers.
Read MoreThe foundations of the intonation that we hear is somewhat intuitive, it depends a lot on one's musical exposure. Listening to most western music, be it popular or classical, these combinations of sounds, intervals and chords will sound 'right' to your ear. If however you listen to a lot of jazz or world music your ear will likely be more attuned to different types of harmonies.
Read MoreHaving a good ear is crucial for all musicians. There are a lucky few who have perfect, or absolute, pitch. I am related to at least one of these people, but unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to inherit that particular gene. So, like most, I have had to learn to develop 'relative pitch'.
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