Chapter 13: Performers
Preview Questions
Introduction
So far we’ve looked at music from different time periods and in different styles. Now it’s time to consider the people who play it. Music and dance exist in time and need humans to produce it for audiences, unlike paintings and books which wait quietly until a viewer or reader comes along to bring them to life through the attention they give to the works.
To fully appreciate music it helps to understand some of what is involved in manifesting it for audiences. In this chapter we will try to answer questions like “How do performers learn to play so well?”, “What do they contribute?”, and “What’s the difference between playing for a recording and performing in front of an audience?”
Review Questions
- What is some differences between an amateur and a professional musicians?
- What do performers do that isn’t written in the score?
- What do performers have to do to have a successful career besides play their instrument well?
Introduction
So far we’ve looked at music from different time periods and in different styles. Now it’s time to consider the people who play it. Music and dance exist in time and need humans to produce it for audiences, unlike paintings and books which wait quietly until a viewer or reader comes along to bring them to life through the attention they give to the works.
To fully appreciate music it helps to understand some of what is involved in manifesting it for audiences. In this chapter we will try to answer questions like “How do performers learn to play so well?”, “What do they contribute?”, and “What’s the difference between playing for a recording and performing in front of an audience?”
Review Questions
- How do concert performers develop the skill to play their instruments so well?
- How does an improviser decide what to play?
- What do performers do that isn’t written in the score?
- When do you need a conductor?
- What is the difference between playing live in front of an audience and recording a piece in the studio?