Preparing for a Master Class
I have been invited to participate in a master class with a concert pianist who will be performing with the local symphony orchestra this fall. I've never done anything like this before -- I am a middle-aged amateur pianist with no music degree and no performing experience outside of playing for nursing homes and occasionally filling in at church. My understanding is that there a few students participating, and I will be the only adult (the other two are teenagers), though we are all at about a Level 7/8.
I don't want to make a fool of myself and was wondering if people here could give me some tips on preparing. Thanks!
Update: The piece I'll be playing is Chopin's Nocturne in F minor (Op. 55, No. 1).
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I would prepare for a masterclass exactly as if you are preparing for a performance. It is also good to make sure you can play from any section in the piece you are performing because you should expect to be stopped and asked to play from any part. Just relax and be sure that it is a welcoming environment that learning is the only core value that is shared in masterclasses. It is not a competition or a concert but it is a collaborative learning experience for all pianists participating.
Playing in a masterclass is a fantastic opportunity to perform and to get valuable feedback from a fresh perspective of another professional pianist who would have other view than the feedback you get from your teacher. Best of luck on that !
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Khaled Excellent suggestions!
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Khaled Thanks! I know the piece pretty well, but that's good advice to be able to play from any part -- I see this happen at masterclasses online, and it amazes me that the pianist can start anywhere from memory. Thank you!
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Sounds like we are twins! I have a Zoom masterclass coming up in 2 weeks.
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Gail Starr Good luck! What will you be playing? (I'll be playing the Chopin F minor nocturne -- I put a video of it on the PWJ page a week or two ago.)
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Nina BR I'm doing Bach P&F Book 1, D major for Vanessa Latarche from the Royal Academy of Music. I'm not feeling very confident, though.
How about you?
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Gail Starr Chopin's F minor nocturne for Orion Weiss. I played the C# major P&F (WTC 1) for a performance class where a couple of high-level teachers were in the audience, and it was so nerve-wracking! Bach is not easy to play under pressure. Good luck!
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Nina BR Orion Weiss is amazing! Where was the masterclass? I just made a little video of my P&F that I'll put in the June recital list. A sort of test!
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Gail Starr I should probably add my Chopin video to the Tonebase recital list. Maybe for July. This will be in Augusta, GA. I talked to one of the people who is working on making this happen and it's not 100% guaranteed ... but if it happens, it will be a great opportunity!
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Nina BR My son lives in Augusta (golf!), and we go there often. Please share details because I'd love to come!
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Gail Starr Very cool! I will definitely share details if this thing happens. And it's always good to meet another PWJ friend!
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PS: I am also on PWJ but rarely have time to practice the monthly challenges!
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Gail Starr I'm with you there. haven't done a monthly challenge since the first month I joined (February). I jumped right in to the advanced challenge and spent way more time on it than I wanted to! I'm not crazy about jazz, so the challenges don't really appeal to me. For now, I focus on blues, ragtime/stride, and classical!
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Nina BR Same here! I joined because I need to learn theory, but I simply haven't had time to participate lately.
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I wish I could be so lucky to be invited to one. I am a 70yo very much amateur about level 7/8 but I only have myself to play to. I’m am too embarrassed to participate in the tonebase performances. With the result I learn a piece, move on to the next and forget all the repertoire that I’ve learnt before. So I am permanently in a learning phase. I don’t have a formula to build up a repertoire I could rely on if ever called up to do so.
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Alherne cupido You never know! I'd never even dreamed of being part of a masterclass, and I was shocked that they asked me. I didn't accept immediately because it was such a surprise. I still haven't told them "yes," but I think I'm going to, even though the idea terrifies me a little (a lot).
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Alherne cupido PLEASE play in one of the monthly recitals, or simply post in the challenges! ANY level is wonderful, we're ALL just learning. If this were my day job, I'd practice more, LOL.
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Playing in a masterclass is a real act of generosity towards the other attendees. They will all benefit from sharing in your learning without having to take the risks and be vulnerable. You’re the brave one and you’ve chosen to do this. Good on you!! Maybe there are particular aspects of the piece you’d like feedback on? If so you can direct the ‘master’ towards those. It may also be useful to remember that the tutor is also having to perform under pressure. His or her response to your performance will be assessed for skill both in piano pedagogy but also their ability to get alongside you and offer constructive feedback of a level that is useful to you right now at the level you are at. I hope it’s a really positive experience for you and wish you all the best.
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marina those are wonderful insights and comments; thank you!
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marina Thank you so much! I hadn't thought about it being something where the "master" is also under pressure. And I like the idea of directing him toward certain areas where I need help. Thanks!
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marina Superb comments, Marina. Thank you!
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Khalid and the other members are right on. Just play something you are comfortable with and practice dropping the needle ( be able to start anywhere in the score). Remember this is for improvement solely. I always have the score in front of me . The coach will refer to all those details etc. and a good score (Utext) is our blueprint. Good luck, and please let us know how it goes.
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priscillayam I agree that a high-quality edition (Urtext) is very important when playing a classical piece from the standard repertoire at a masterclass. I even tend to buy and bring a brand new score to any in-person, non-virtual masterclass, as a sign of respect to the teacher who shouldn't have to squeeze her or his comments between your and your previous teacher's markings - and this habit of mine has generally been met with appreciation. (But really, that's just me and my somewhat obsessive-compulsive nature.)
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Alexander Weymann I even saw someone hand her ipad/pen with the score to Ewa Poblocka in a masterclass recently. I think your idea of a clean printed score is best though.
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priscillayam Thanks! I am using a Henle Urtext edition, but I can get a clean copy for the masterclass. I hadn't thought about that, or the possibility that they would be making notes on the score.
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