50 Tips to Become a Better Classical Musician

 

 

1. Subscribe to blogs and news about your instrument.
2. Know who are the top players of your instrument (dead and alive).
3. Know all the major concertos.
4. Perform a solo recital at least every 2 months ( Gigs don’t count )
5. Learn about other musical genres ( Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country,etc.) and try to understand their musical forms, chord progressions, and after that try to arrange something for your instrument.
6. Learn improvisation .
7. Try to compose your own cadenzas.
8. Go to Music festivals.
9. Make friends with Concertmasters, Conductors, Composers,Arrangers, Manager of salsa groups, jazz musicians and any other music group around you.
10. Schedule an audition as a substitute at the nearest orchestra or popular group.
11. Always be on time.
12. Bring all your equipment: stands, music, extensions, plugs ,etc.
13. Dress accordingly to the occasion, if in doubt dress nice.
14. Try a different path in the music business other than performing: compose, arrange, conduct, work as a luthier, manage a symphony, etc.
15. Teach as much as you can: it would not only bring money but it will also remind you of the basics in your instrument, things you will need for the rest of your life as a performer.
16. Play every gig available no matter how much they pay, especially early in your career, you would be surprised how many contacts you will do: this will lead to future gigs!!
17. Always be making friends and tell them what you do: they will spread the word for you.
18. Have a facebook account and make groups and fan sites.
19. Same with twitter and other social networks.
20. Build your own website.
21. Participate in music forums.
22. Practice sight reading, is easier to do this with friends, read quartets, duos and trios often.
23. Practice you excerpts!: Wake up at 3am and play Don Juan or another difficult excerpt and play it without warming up or anything! Its an awesome feeling.
24. Play an audition to friends and teachers before the real thing .
25. Become a member of music societies, clubs and unions like the American Federation of Musicians.
26. Subscribe to Music Magazines.
27. Attend as many concert as you can, it will help you with your music interpretation, style, etc.
28. Know the score of the pieces you are playing: solo, chamber, orchestra,etc.
29. Try to build your own sheet music library.
30. Try to build a music library with cd’s and dvd’s.
31. Listen to the pieces you are working on (chamber,solo, orchestral, etc) at least once a day.
32. Know the composers of the pieces you are working on (style, period in time,life,etc.)
33. Practice at least 4 hours a day, 6 or more for competitions.
34. Learn Sibelius or Finale.
35. In moments of frustration call a friend and tell them how much you love music and how much you don't want to quit, explain to them how hard is the business of music and how hard you are willing to work.
36. You might want to learn german or italian.
37. Sharpen your skills of transposition.
38. Learn the basics of piano.
39. Study music and physics, the simple stuff
40. Listen to other music genres you are not interested and learn from them. Find something good about it.
41. Know the major works of Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and all the great masters.
42. Learn orchestration .
43. Classical Music for Dummies- Its a great source, I learned a lot of things i didn't know, cool book!
44. Practice your scales every day; this is key.
45. Don't waste your time in music theory class, learn all about harmony, counterpoint, instrumentation, etc. This helps understand the music better, it will be reflected in your playing of course!
46. Help organizing someone's recital or music event, one day you will need them and you will also have the experience as well.
47. Join your church music group.
48. Prepare your self for competitions (international or local)
49. Blog about classical music .
50. Wake up early for practice marathons with your friends.