[Trombone-l] musicianship question

[Dan Thornton]

I have a simple approach to the question of getting a group
to perform musically.  It comes to the essential difference
between "teaching" and "leading." The group can be taught to
read the notes and play in tune, but group musicality and
expression, I believe, must be led.  So the teacher needs at
some point to stop being a teacher and start being a
conductor.  

 

The conductor interprets and leads the group in expression.
My test of whether I have made the switch to conducting is
whether I can do the piece differently EVERY time (different
holds, different volumes, different tempos, different
blends).  This forces the group to be truly alert and
results in an excitement and precision that can't be found
any other way. 

 

Many musicians never experience this kind of spontaneous,
dynamic musicality, and therefore don't understand what we
mean when we ask them to be more expressive in a solo.  Most
who do understand musicality get that understanding from
other places than music class, because most of us have been
taught to be teachers and have little experience as
conductors.  (This is why mass band/choir and honors
band/choir events are so powerful in the life of young
musicians - they get to play under an experienced
"conductor.")

 

Listening to great performances is also very helpful.

 

Dan

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jay Sheridan [mailto:jsheridan at usv.k12.oh.us] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 10:34 AM
To: trombone-l at samford.edu
Subject: [Trombone-l] musicianship question

 

For all those that do any teaching, how do you teach a
student (or group- band/orch etc) to play musically? I have
tried several different ways, but none seem to be working. I
have a group that can perform rhythmically and in tune, but
is lacking musically. The group in question is actually a
choir, but I usually think in trombone terms when talking to
them anyways.

 

Thanks

 

Jay Sheridan

Director of Music

Upper Scioto Valley Local School

McGuffey, OH

jsheridan at usv.k12.oh.us