Banish Predictability

The other day I sat listening to a violinist of excellent technical ability play the Bach D Minor solo sonata. Everything was in time. Everything was in tune. And yet I was bored to tears.

One of the standard devices a player encounters in Bach is known as a ‘sequence’. Simply, a sequence is a gesture, or series of notes, that is repeated several times; usually beginning on a different pitch each time.

Now, if you want to lose an audience in a hurry you’ll play that gesture with exactly the same phrasing every time. If, on the other hand, you’d like to have them eating out of your hand, you’ll do the following.

Play the gesture in a given manner twice. On the third repetition, however, do something that is in strong contrast to what you have convinced them to expect. You can employ rubato, change dynamic, or change articulation; even all of the above.

The idea is to entertain the audience by keeping them guessing; but not going so far as to leave them bewildered.

If you change directions too often the audience isn’t getting time to form an expectation that you can exploit. You just come off as ‘arbitrary.’

When you practice keep an ear peeled for the ‘unexpected factor’. Even your use of the device must not become predictable. It’s just one trick in your bag.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. Yes, there are musical ‘tricks’ with which to entertain and delight your audience. You must, however, have impeccable fundamentals with which to back them up. That’s where Kreutzer for Violin Mastery comes in. Pick up your copy now.

P.P.S. For the insights that will have you putting it all together in ways you never dreamed of, come join me for the three days that will change the direction of your musical experience forever.