The famous composer Robert Schumann left a mark on history not only in the form of his works. One of his main works was the Code, which is called Rules for Musicians. Several generations of teachers have tried to convey certain thoughts to their students as intelligibly as possible. But, alas, this does not always work out. As it turned out, everything ingenious has already been done before us by the classics.
The work Life Rules for Musicians was written in 1850. More than 150 years have passed, but they are still relevant. The main task of these councils is the diversified development of the student, the maximum coverage of all aspects of musical activity. The manual will be useful both for professional graduates of conservatories and for amateurs.
How to use the rules for musicians correctly
Of course, it is not enough to read the rules of young musicians. It is necessary to develop the habit of doing them regularly. Since there are too many of them, you can take one or two and use them in your game. You can start in any order. One of them you like the most, and you need to take it as a basis. Consistency is important in every job. As indicated in the vaults themselves, you need to fight the work to the end. Therefore, you can not stop halfway and give up the execution of points if a novice guitarist has difficulties.
So what are the rules for musicians left to the descendants of Schumann? Let’s get acquainted with each of them in more detail.
List of rules for musicians
Hearing needs to be developed from an early age. There are dozens of different sounds around the little man – the chirping of birds, the sound of rain. You need to try to find different timbres in all of them.
Scales and technical exercises are played to develop skills. However, you should not just play them until you’re blue in the face, but you should perform other tasks. On one “playing” of scales you will not go far.
The so-called “silent keyboard” is completely unsuitable for the formation of musicality.
Rhythm playing is the foundation for any aspiring musician. Many “pros” play so unevenly that they don’t want to listen.
Harmony is the foundation for any musician. You should familiarize yourself with it as early as possible.
Fear of musical terms? No, have not heard. If you see an unfamiliar word, then try to get acquainted with its meaning, and not skip it.
You should not thoughtlessly knock on the strings – it is best to immediately observe the accents and designations conceived by the author. And also play your work to the very end.
Not following the pace (and misinterpreting it) is one of the main mistakes.
Do not underestimate easy pieces – they become the basis for performing more difficult ones. You should always play them lightly and in character.
The instrument must be well tuned. By the way, this also applies to the human voice!
It is necessary to memorize the play not only with the fingers. You have to be able to play it in your head too. Moreover, not only the melodic line sounds, but also the harmonic basis.
Even if you do not have a sufficiently developed voice, you need to sing along with the instrument. This will develop your ear.
It is worth developing to such an extent that it is possible to present a work without listening to it, but only by seeing it on a sheet of music.
Don’t be afraid of those who listen to you. By the way, these are excellent rules for musicians, because often novice performers go astray, waiting for the reaction of the audience or a member of the selection committee.
It is best to imagine that you are listening to a true master who will appreciate the talent.
If you have to play an unfamiliar piece from a sheet, then always look at its “skeleton” with your eyes. You should cover a form that will give you an idea of all the fragments in your head.
If what is called “ate”, then it is better to stop classes for today. It is better to start tomorrow with a desire to learn, than to play hard with an insipid face. But do not abuse this rule!
Some advice to musicians is still outdated. Or at least become controversial. For example, not to play fashionable commercial music (say, solely for the purpose of making money). It is better to devote time to proven classics.
Unexpectedly, but the life rules of musicians intersect with a healthy lifestyle. Eat light and healthy food, because food for the soul (music) has a lot to do with physical nourishment.
Technique and passages go from quantity to quality. But only where they are really needed.
Do not contribute to the spread of musical “obscene”. The advice follows from this:
Try to exclude musical slag from your “diet”.
Do not put a brilliant technical performance on top of the author’s intention. Still, the listener must, first of all, remember the idea of the work.
Don’t change the play for yourself. Do not invent unnecessary decorations and melismatics that contradict the author.
When choosing a repertoire, it is better to consult with more experienced colleagues and teachers. This experience may not always be positive, but more often it will save time.
Acquaintance with the works of the masters should be carried out in chronological order, but try to cover the most important stages of their creative path.
You should not be imbued with the fleeting success of soulless virtuosos – “techies”.
The popularity of music is a coming thing. Therefore, you should not try to catch current trends and be fashionable to gray hair.
Regular performance in public adds experience. But you don’t have to play what you’re ashamed of.
Use the opportunity to play in an ensemble – duet, quartet, accompaniment to the singer. When a musician plays in tandem, he begins to understand the form, logic, learn to adjust on the go.
One should not treat with disdain the “insignificant” musicians of the orchestra, ensemble. Each participant contributes an important role.
Loving your instrument is great. But do not forget about the existence of others.
When you are mature as a musician, focus on learning the scores. Any performer draws knowledge from a sheet of music.
Bach’s “HTK” is an excellent base for a growing musician. Play it and you will be happy.
Learn from your comrades.
Camping with a poetry collection is a great choice!
Vocalists can provide some useful knowledge. But be careful when choosing their advice.
Almost all the works and “chips” were invented before you. Therefore, do not be too proud of the composer’s gift, but consider it a message from above. And of course – convey it to the listener.
The best “cure” for the emerging inflated conceit is listening to classical works by recognized masters.
Anton Thibaut and his Purity of Muses. The arts are your future reference book.
Again, outdated rules for musicians, but for the sake of completeness, we will give them. Reverence for organ music, especially church performance. You should try to use the opportunity to play this instrument.
The organ is an excellent instrument for practicing clarity of sound production.
Singing in a choir of medium voices will develop your professionalism. The bass and soprano lines are usually clearly audible and distinct. Following the same viola requires a developed ear.
Musicality is both the ability to improvise and finish playing a phrase, even if you forget it.
The development of musicality in oneself is one of the main tasks. It can be achieved not only by many hours of technical sharpening of skills, but by participation in ensembles.
Enjoy the sound of a singing voice, look for colors unknown to you in it.
Folk music is a real storehouse of knowledge.
Practice in reading old keys is essential.
A great way to train your musical memory is to listen carefully to other instruments and play the melody you just heard in your head.
Opera music is not only beautiful, but also useful.
The time-tested old is good. But do not neglect the new works. For example, now they write excellent melodies on the guitar.
Some works are not “sold out” the first time. Therefore, if you do not like the play, then do not rush to forget about it. Perhaps in time she will like it.
We must try to join the high art.
Melody is not all music. Real works consist not only of a simple rhythm and melody. Harmony, dynamics, form are just some of the components.
Composing your own little tunes is a sign of good progress.
Real music comes from the depths of the soul. Only this can captivate the listener.
Youthful wandering in the clouds is good at certain times. But you should not stay in this kingdom forever, be sure to master musical notation.
Conducting is another useful path. Together with him, you can learn how to play with a metronome.
It is worth studying other sciences besides music.
For art, almost all the same moral standards will do.
Patience and hard work – you get the idea.
Don’t waste your talent.
Enthusiasm is the main engine of artistic progress.
You should not immediately prioritize earning through the performance of music. You have to learn it first, and the rest will gradually follow.
Without studying the form, it is impossible to fully understand the content of the works.
Not everyone will understand a brilliant musician. Most likely, only the same colleague.
Aerobatics is a mental representation of a work in the form of its score.
There is no limit to the perfection of your skills.
Conclusion
Many of these tips are for academic musicians. This is due to the era in which they were written. But you can get a lot of useful information for a modern novice musician, and even an accomplished professional.
