January - The month of recording
(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.