Comments on: Jack of all Trades, Master of None? http://beginning-singer.iansidden.com/2009/10/jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:16:58 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ian http://beginning-singer.iansidden.com/2009/10/jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none/comment-page-1/#comment-189 Ian Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:16:55 +0000 http://beginning-singer.iansidden.com/?p=1677#comment-189 It isn't an either/or situation. You've gotten to do some very interesting accompaniment work at NMSU all while tackling tremendous solo work. Your recital did not convey the work of an under-trained and over-stretched accompanist. Quite the contrary. The structure of your recital was well-thought out, the larger works carried dramatic momentum between the movements, and your strength and technique really shined through. <br><br>You've been very wise about your workload and your collaborators. I think if you continue using discretion, you'll continue to have the rich and fulfilling musical experiences. <br><br>Btw, you can muse as much as you'd like. It isn't an either/or situation. You've gotten to do some very interesting accompaniment work at NMSU all while tackling tremendous solo work. Your recital did not convey the work of an under-trained and over-stretched accompanist. Quite the contrary. The structure of your recital was well-thought out, the larger works carried dramatic momentum between the movements, and your strength and technique really shined through.

You've been very wise about your workload and your collaborators. I think if you continue using discretion, you'll continue to have the rich and fulfilling musical experiences.

Btw, you can muse as much as you'd like.

]]> By: Phoebe http://beginning-singer.iansidden.com/2009/10/jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none/comment-page-1/#comment-187 Phoebe Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:03:34 +0000 http://beginning-singer.iansidden.com/?p=1677#comment-187 Ah Ian, you hit the nail on the head again. I've been thinking about this too. I'm not cut out for a solo concert career, I know. Does that mean I should pursue a certain teacher and a school that would be a great challenge to me musically? Great in both senses -- big challenge, good challenge. But a school that is geared more exclusively towards aspiring concertizers than the still-excellent state school down the road? I am thinking of Rice and University of Houston. Should I pursue piano performance more, even though that is not exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life? I would have opportunities to pursue the art of music and solo literature that will fade as I age. I both anticipate and fear opportunities to grow in collaborative skills. On the one hand, I long to but wonder if I am ready or good enough. On the other, if I spend too much time in collaborative stuff or freelance accompanying, will it hold me back in my pianistic skills? I know it's not an either-or proposition, but it sometimes seems that way. And what about teaching?<br><br>Sorry to muse so much at length on your post. But your conclusion is good. I like to dabble in many things, but I need to keep piano as my priority, for this point in my life at least. Ah Ian, you hit the nail on the head again. I've been thinking about this too. I'm not cut out for a solo concert career, I know. Does that mean I should pursue a certain teacher and a school that would be a great challenge to me musically? Great in both senses — big challenge, good challenge. But a school that is geared more exclusively towards aspiring concertizers than the still-excellent state school down the road? I am thinking of Rice and University of Houston. Should I pursue piano performance more, even though that is not exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life? I would have opportunities to pursue the art of music and solo literature that will fade as I age. I both anticipate and fear opportunities to grow in collaborative skills. On the one hand, I long to but wonder if I am ready or good enough. On the other, if I spend too much time in collaborative stuff or freelance accompanying, will it hold me back in my pianistic skills? I know it's not an either-or proposition, but it sometimes seems that way. And what about teaching?

Sorry to muse so much at length on your post. But your conclusion is good. I like to dabble in many things, but I need to keep piano as my priority, for this point in my life at least.

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