Out of the practise room - Planning patterns for professional musicians-to-be

Abstract

The present work is about how it is possible to organise the practising activity from the perspective of a viola player. It may be a tool for understanding how to balance different loads of practise and rest for young musicians who aim to a professional career. A selection of examples of ways of personal experiences in planning practising activities and their analysis are the core of the first chapter of this project. The material was collected during the second and third semester of the master in symphonic orchestra performance at the Academy of music and drama in Gothenburg. The second chapter follows the process of preparation of the simulation of an audition - as part of the master programme at the academy - during the three weeks before the performance. The practising activity is documented through samples of recordings of the practising sessions. In the following chapter the focus is on the previous research on the subject of planning practising activities carried out by the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. From there I compare the methods and give space to new outcomes. The last chapter is about the role that self-awareness and concentration have for me when it comes to dealing with practising activities and their planning.