Notes from a Question/Answer with Midori

These are Gwen Gates's notes from the Q & A session we had with Midori. We thought they were worth sharing with everyone, as they are quite good notes!!

• Chamber music preparation requires just as much dedication and detail as that of solo work.
• Once you know about 75% of your own part, rehearse all together as often as possible.
• In today's world, we often look for the fastest, most convenient way to get what we need or want. In music, we need to make discipline and patience, and hard work, a priority.
• There isn't just one correct way to play a certain phrase.
• "I would never ever say that classical music is dead. We're in a very precarious place, but we aren't dying." (Midori's words)
• To inspire your students, be the example of what they should be.
• You're more likely to have a larger influence if you develop a close relationship with your students.
• What to look for in a score: patterns, the obvious (key, meter, etc?), themes.
• Take it step-by-step; don't jump to conclusions.
• Try to find something new in the music every time you read it.
• Find the phrase, experiment with how to get the message across.
• On finding inspiration (easily) - there's no real way. But listening is very important. Think about the composers' language.
• You may experiment and fin that you're wrong, but then you are much wiser.
• "What I learn from my students I also bring to my performance."
• Balancing practicing: never ever take out warmups and exercises. You don't save any time either, it is unhealthy.
• Being warmed up correctly is directly tied to your sound output.
• Scales, trills, vibrato practice - makes playing easier.
• Have a balance between the known and the unknown.
• Solo piece - start from the beginning. Organize patterns and structural designs.
• Pursuing career - stay with a good teacher, no matter where you want to go. Whatever degree you do, in music, there's always business, communication, writing, presentation.
• "The real life of a musician isn't just about playing."
• Classical style - balance clean and engagement
• Her greatest obstacle - she is inspired, yet also scared, by how much she doesn't know, or ever will know.
• Balance frustration with something to help the students own their success.

There were a few more, but nothing you can't find out by using Google :)