Next Level Violinist Practicing Issue

Publisher’s Note
it’s utterly thrilling to be writing you from the pages of Next Level Violinist!
This journal represents the culmination of months of planning to create a
resource that I hope every violinist will read and take to heart. Inside this issue,
incredible teachers and players will lay out the tools that you need to be,
as Rachel Barton Pine puts it, “a professional practicer.” That’s really what music
comes down to: how can you develop your technique and your understanding
of the instrument so it becomes the most natural way to express yourself?
I recall my early days of learning to play. I would practice the bare minimum that my
parents told me to, and fought them nearly every step of the way. One day, a friend of
mine came over and showed me how to play a boogie-woogie bass line on the piano.
Once I had learned to play it, I was suddenly hooked.There wasn’t enough time in
the day for me to practice as much as I wanted to. Finding jazz, discovering a side
of music that inspired and pushed me to play better every day, these were the catalysts
for my growth. Over the years, I learned how to refine my practicing and learn more
material in shorter periods of time, adding tips and tricks to my ever-growing arsenal.
As we make the transition from students to professionals, we inevitably find less and
less time to isolate ourselves and truly focus on practicing. Turning off our phones,
switching off the TV, and really centering our minds on the music at hand is one of
the skills that separates musicians from the general population. For me, practice is
almost meditative. I find that I have my best ideas during or right after practicing.
It is one of the most clear channels for thinking that I have developed in my brain,
and it can and should be the same for you as well.
As you read through the brilliant advice laid out by Rachel Barton Pine, one point
of focus is her innovative way of strategizing so she keeps all facets of her playing
fresh and honed at the same time. I am smitten with the idea of practicing scales in
a “Debussy” style, or polishing your Mozart tone while you are focusing on Brahms.
Her organizational principles underscore the strong need to be an efficient practicer
and use the limited time you have to maximize your results.
Alex Kerr, who is a wonderful and well-rounded violinist, provides so many fantastic
links and reference points for developing your skills as a player. Take each one to
heart and you may just find yourself with the same extensive resume of high-ranking
positions that Alex has accrued. Additionally, I think his points on reading to broaden
your horizons are right on the money. One of the best ways to improve yourself as a
musician is to improve yourself as a person. Once you have developed your technique,
you will find that the extracurriculars of life (such as knowledge, friendships, and
love) will give you more to say in your playing.
I’m glad you’ve joined us on our initial issue of Next Level Violinist. Keep searching
for ways to improve your playing, your understanding, and your love of music, and
nothing will stand in your way. I’ll check in with the next issue, and look forward
to seeing you on the Next Level.
RANAAN MEYER
Publisher Next Level Journals
SUMMER 2014 NEXT LEVEL VIOLINIST
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