Brainiac Experiment

Curiosity, which performers?

Oh, I forgot... Andrea Bachetti, I heard one of his lecture-recitals on Bach...

Just picked at random... I didn't mean for any particular reason.

Do you know anything about these methods, FranK?

You certainly exercise musical memory, but I wouldn't want dependence on an interpreter to be harmful. In any case, mental study seems more interesting to me.

That is, you don't see it as a possible path. You urge me to let it go...

Yes, you are right regarding the parameters (agogic, timbre, tempo, etc.) of the performer you listen to... you certainly assimilate too much of their likeness and movement... yes, yes, this is definitely harmful... it is then difficult to break free from an aesthetic mirroring that you then end up re-proposing..

It was just an experiment.

Let's say that if you have so much time to invest, there are probably more effective methods. Have you tried recording yourself and listening back? After that, your interpretation will certainly improve visibly. Listening to great performers never hurts; in fact, it helps.

I agree with Frank, without taking anything away from Bacchetti, whom I highly esteem. I believe this system is more a part of the "man" than the "performer." He, Bacchetti, is a person full of "attentions" toward himself... a bit... exaggerated in my opinion. His interpretations are excellent nonetheless. Sometimes, we think that in the ritual behavior of certain Artists, one finds the solution and the understanding, almost... the secret of their Art. Naturally, I say this in a "light" way. There are those who never eat 5 hours before a concert, there are those who wear wool gloves until 10 minutes before....Those who carry their own bench around......During a past concert, it is said that the famous pianist Rosenthal played through the entire first half... and during the intermission, one of his assistants came out to put a sheet of paper under the bench. Aside from the "anecdotes," I think that listening too much (40 times!!!!) excessively favors auditory memory. Having all this time and... all this patience... I believe another type of study could be put to good use. Another famous School also suggests repeating a measure, if necessary, a considerable number of times and, once learned, moving on to the next. I don't think it is effective. At least for me. In my modest opinion, I believe in a path that considers "the whole" and then perfects the details.....and then... perhaps....I confess... I wouldn't have the patience to undertake certain restrictive disciplines......Happy studying

Yes Paolo and Frank. I am in complete agreement with you.

Consider that this was an experiment during a period when I couldn't even touch the piano except for 1 hour a week.

I travel a lot by car and I didn't waste time just listening.. I would never have done it at home..

Anyway, it was just a trial.

I will continue my classic study on "everything" as you mentioned, which has always proven to be positive.

Thanks again.

fabio73 wrote:

Consider that this was an experiment during a period when I couldn't even touch the piano except for 1 hour a week.

... for this reason I mentioned mental practice, which can bear fruit despite the distance from the instrument.

Mental practice? Sorry Frank, but maybe I wasn't focused. What is it about?