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This blog is written and created for the Whole Musician: in mind, body and spirit. The possibilities for practice, playing and performing are infinite...In this blog I share Practice Ideas for the Whole Musician as inspiration, information and as a portal into your musical imagination.

Happy Practicing!

Heartfully,
Jennifer

Saturday, July 2, 2011

7 Ways to Create Long Lines


We were talking about this a lot in Master Class this week. Here are some of my thoughts on :
____________________ Creating Long Lines___________________
The journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step. ~ Lao Tzu
Where are you and the music taking us on this musical journey?
1. Intention = Know where you are going! 
2. Breath Flow. Using your Breath is the most important factor in creating a long musical, line. To create more flow between 2 notes, make a small crescendo as you move between them.
3. Dynamics = Create a gradual growth and fading. Make a colorful and shapely dynamic design.  Use numbers for guiding your dynamics. 1 = softest dynamic.                                                                                 The higher the number the greater the dynamic volume.
4. Rhythm =  The steady heartbeat of a musical line, with organic rhythmic movement, creates a flowing line.  No sudden changes of tempo and no rhythmic bumps in the note groupings.
5. Vibrato = As Mr. Kincaid said, “vibrato can be a direction indicator.” Listen to your vibrato and use it to give direction, color and movement to your musical line. Direction by varying the speed and width. Color by adding a shimmer of vibrato to special notes in the phrase. 
6. Smooth Finger Movement = Check to see that your fingers are moving as a mirror to your musical line.   Finger movement is: lyrical, legato, gliding, graceful, smooth, silky...
7. Balanced Body = Supported Sound ease of breathing and body and long musical lines.

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