Skills Development - Performance

I think performance is a vital part of my business. As a freelance Musician I could receive offers to perform gigs, etc. However, I also think performing is a big part of being a musician. You could be performing a solo or within an ensemble. Or you may have even composed a piece that will be performed at some point. Every musician at some point in their lives has probably performed.

At the moment I am preparing for my Grade 8 Violin Examination (due to the virus, it has been postponed until next year - Yes!). I think this is an examination that a large amount of professional musicians have taken. However, there are a number of musicians who haven't taken exams. The exam involves 4 parts; Pieces, Scales, Sight - Reading and Aural. Scales are incredibly important and with practice, can improve intonation. 

To develop technique and intonation, I practice each section of the exam as well as my pieces for orchestra and some other pieces that I just enjoy playing.

Below is a video of...me (Please excuse my crazy hair!). In the video, I have playing the Cadenza (basically a solo part) of "Concertino in the style of A. W. Mozart," composed by Hans Millies. If you watch this video, I recommend having your device at a fairly low volume as my phone unfortunately has a rather low quality camera.