ATS1045 - Reflective Essay on Personal Practice in Music Performance

This essay is a personal reflection on the challenges encountered during a classical music performance course, particularly concerning the instrument piano. It discusses the learning process, the importance of dedicated practice, and the role of instrument selection in creating music. The essay also explores the author's preference for alternative rock music and its influence on their musical compositions, highlighting the impact of chord progressions and instrumental combinations. The author emphasizes the significance of balancing basic chord progressions with the incorporation of new and unusual chords to enrich musical pieces. The student document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wealth of study resources including past papers and solved assignments to aid students in their academic pursuits.

Running head: MUSIC
Music
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1MUSIC
Topic –Classical Music Performance
During the completion of the course, I had to go through and deal with a broad set of
challenges. Firstly, I must have to state the fact that I did not have much idea regarding the
classical music, which means performance of classical music was quite unknown to me.
However, the course materials have certainly helped me to derive an in-depth understanding
about the classical music and the instrumental use of piano. During the learning phase of the
instrument- piano several factors need to be considered. Firstly, the amount of time it takes to
learn or play piano completely depends on what extent of playing I or one wants to achieve.
Hence, I can state the fact that an individual with limited or no experience can learn to play
the melody of short song faster and quicker. For example, Studer et al. (2011) added the fact
that if an individual wants to play ‘Hot Cross Buns’ , she/he could take lesson from different
academic lessons and learn without any previously developed training.
In contrast, if I say if one does want to become a world class classical pianist and
execute crazy-advanced pieces just like Rachmanionff’s Piano concert, the individual might
require at least 10 to 15 years of concentrated study with a skilful coach. During my learning
period, I have observed the fact that most of the people who intends to learn Piano, they
usually aim for something in between two different extremes. This means I believe that
whatever level I hope to achieve, my progress always depends on how diligently as well as
effectively I practice or nourish the skill and talent. However, I would also like to add the
fact that when it comes to piano or learning any sort of music instrument, adults tend to have
an easier time of understanding music theory compared to children. This means that the chord
progression as well as the common motif could sound unfamiliar to children but I believe the
fact that adults who have spent their lives listening to a diverse or different variety of music
could find it easier to identify.

2MUSIC
I must not forget the fact that mentioned by Bennett (2016), that when it comes to
classical music, instrument plays a great role; this means selection of proper instrument such
as piano is highly required, which would help to create the sound in a more creative way.
This knowledge has a high impact on my learning as I have personally observed that the role
of instrument when arranging the last concert. Nonetheless, I must add the fact that I would
prefer hard and alternative rock music which I have listened up. Alternative music has
colossal impact on my selection of music. This is because alternative rock is preferable in
every context –such as I must recommend that instead of paying attention to unusual
combinations of chords and variance, it is always important to consider the catchy melodies
which can be done by playing piano. Studer et al. (2011) mentioned that nothing could be
unnatural or worse than one is obsessed with an unusual chord progression along two note
lengthy melody.
So, when it comes to alternative rock music besides the classical musical
performance, I prefer Coldplay, Muse and The killers. Once in my composition, I received
acclamation due to addition of richness in music. This means in order to include richness and
a bit of style into the music, melody chords can be easily developed. Thus, I have realized
that working on the composition, combinations of chords, and instruments always have a
greater impact on music. This additional devotion gives a uniqueness to the music. My
learning phases certainly helped to understand the fact that when one gains the efficiency in
music particularly in making compositions, it is easy to add new or unusual chords. However,
no one should forget the fact that basic chord progression always remains common. Both
needs to be simultaneously aligned.

3MUSIC
References
Bennett, D.E., 2016. Understanding the classical music profession: The past, the present and
strategies for the future. Routledge.
Studer, R., Danuser, B., Hildebrandt, H., Arial, M. and Gomez, P., 2011. Hyperventilation
complaints in music performance anxiety among classical music students. Journal of
Psychosomatic Research, 70(6), pp.557-564.