Originally Posted by
Shipyaad
Just saw this article linked from the Twitter account. Didn't know you played cornet.
I play professionally in a national level orchestra, and am currently preparing for another audition using something resembling the NLP to drive the initial preparation. Thought I'd mention that a linear progression model can be applied with great effect to music performance, including to what most people would call high level performance by high level performers.
For most people, a linear progression model can get you 99% of the way there if you have the time (and patience) to go through it. Just take the tempo, subtract 30, and work on everything with maximum emphasis on correct technique and phrasing. Note: if you can't play it perfectly at -30, find the tempo where you CAN play it perfectly and start there. Next session, click up one notch on the metronome. By the time you work up to full speed you've got about a month of flawless execution backing you up. It's a really good way to get something build solidly, and has the wonderful side effect of causing big foundational playing improvements since you're thinking about bow stroke or efficient breathing or coordination and not so much on the notes themselves. There are a few other aspects to this but the structure is straight out of Starting Strength.
Once the initial progression is complete, you can definitely play a concert on the materials you worked out. But if you need to go beyond that, like for something high stakes like an audition or a recording session - it can be helpful to do a few things differently in the last few weeks. Recording/review, various periodization strategies for detail work, audition simulation to develop the "one shot one kill" skillset and mindset, etc.
But the foundation - of all of it - is built on the linear progression.
We'll see how it works on this audition. If I win I'll let you know. Hell, if I lose I'll let you know too.