Comments on: A “funky, weird, tingly feeling” http://kennethwoods.net/blog1/2006/04/15/a-%e2%80%9cfunky-weird-tingly-feeling%e2%80%9d/ Music, opinion, life as a performing musician Wed, 23 May 2012 10:25:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: radiowilson http://kennethwoods.net/blog1/2006/04/15/a-%e2%80%9cfunky-weird-tingly-feeling%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-2 radiowilson Fri, 28 Apr 2006 02:08:59 +0000 http://kennethwoods.net/blog1/2006/04/18/a-%e2%80%9cfunky-weird-tingly-feeling%e2%80%9d/#comment-2 I must add a comment on Ken's ability to work with young musicians, bringing them closer to the MUSIC than just getting the correct notes, rhythms and dynamics out of their instruments. We have had a few students who, for whatever reason, failed to grasp the fact that sitting for a bit waiting for the conductor to work through a difficult passage with another section is an opportunity to learn about music. It really does not help one improve their cymbal crash or flute trill to know the difference in playing at the bridge or fingerboard, flat hair or not, on the string or off – but in many ways it does improve one as a musician. Usually these students eventually realize the knowledge they are gaining from Ken and improve their listening and overall participation – though some simply do not and end up leaving the group for some convenient reason or another. This is partly why our performance of Egmont was quite thrilling. All of the students (and coaches!) had been made fully aware of the background of the piece, as well as being well prepared in listening to the other sections of the orchestra and playing quite well as an ensemble. Of course there are the many challenges of getting young musicians to watch the baton, but these were well drilled by both Ken and Travis. In the end we all were joining the revolution! “Dank U Veel” Mr. Woods!!!!!! I must add a comment on Ken’s ability to work with young musicians, bringing them closer to the MUSIC than just getting the correct notes, rhythms and dynamics out of their instruments. We have had a few students who, for whatever reason, failed to grasp the fact that sitting for a bit waiting for the conductor to work through a difficult passage with another section is an opportunity to learn about music.

It really does not help one improve their cymbal crash or flute trill to know the difference in playing at the bridge or fingerboard, flat hair or not, on the string or off – but in many ways it does improve one as a musician. Usually these students eventually realize the knowledge they are gaining from Ken and improve their listening and overall participation – though some simply do not and end up leaving the group for some convenient reason or another.

This is partly why our performance of Egmont was quite thrilling. All of the students (and coaches!) had been made fully aware of the background of the piece, as well as being well prepared in listening to the other sections of the orchestra and playing quite well as an ensemble. Of course there are the many challenges of getting young musicians to watch the baton, but these were well drilled by both Ken and Travis. In the end we all were joining the revolution! “Dank U Veel” Mr. Woods!!!!!!

]]>