Suzuki Ireland

″The only worry for parents should be to bring up their children as noble human beings. That is sufficient. Your child plays very well. We must try to make him splendid in mind and heart also.″
Shin'ichi Suzuki

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Graduation Recordings

Publishedon Tuesday 19th January 2016in the Graduation Category

The February 1st deadline for recording your graduation piece is now looming! Here are some tips to get you on your way.

(see National Graduation Tab for information about Suzuki Graduations)

Preparing for your 1st recording

  • Actively listen to the graduation piece you need to record
  • Listen for notes/tuning, rhythm, articulation, dynamics and phrasing
  • Practice through the piece without the CD first, checking that you can play all the sections comfortably.
  • Play with the listening CD 
  • Play with the accompaniment CD (Violin/Viola/Cello)

Recording

  • Test the balance before doing a full performance: try to achieve the best quality of sound without interference
  • The performer should be louder than the accompaniment CD
  • Both parts should be clearly audible.
  • Concentrate and focus on your performance throughout
  • SAVE YOUR RECORDING

Listen to your recording

  • This is the most important part of the Graduation process.
  • Learn how to critically analyse your performance with compliments and recognising areas to improve.
  • How can you improve the performance?
  • Rhythmic tempo? Clarity of notes? Dynamic contrasts? Phrasing?
  • With the help of your teacher, make some notes of what you need to achieve.
  • Take out these sections, practice carefully and prepare for your next recording.

Make another recording

  • Listen back to your performance and take note of the improvements that you have made. 
  • Can you improve the piece further? make it a more musical performance, develop dynamics and phrasing to a higher level?

Make another recording

Choose your best recording to submit to the SEIi 

N.B Have another copy saved for backup.