I Polished My 'Sound' at the Nursery School!
When I performed in front of the children at the end of July this year,
my sound and music changed into something good without me even thinking about it,
and I couldn't forget that,
so I wanted to research why it changed so much!
I thought, 'I'm going to polish my sound more!'
and I asked the nursery school if I could go and perform.
I took my instrument out of its case, assembled it, warmed up,
and played a piece.
I went there to perform my specialty, classical music,
specifically Brahms, with all my heart for the children.
What kind of changes occurred:
・Where the sound gets quiet, where it whispers
I didn't say a single word about it getting quiet,
but before I even got to those parts, everyone suddenly became silent,
and I could tell they were holding their breath and listening intently.
That's why my sound was refined on its own.
I was surprised.
I don't need to make small sounds louder for the stage.
I realized, 'So this is what it means to go and make them listen!'
To make the audience hold their breath.
・The forte wasn't like a 'BAM! FORTE!'
but became a gentle, enveloping sound.
・The tone color, the attack of the notes, the phrasing, and the way of singing all became gentle and warm.
I felt that this might be the kind of sound Brahms was looking for.
・Mistakes or cracked notes really don't matter at all.
What's important is whether you want to convey something or not.
No one cares about wrong notes.
Because they want to hear the sound, the music,
I realized that no matter where, no matter when, no matter what happens,
I should just deliver the music I want to convey.
Brahms for nursery school children? Some people might have thought that.
The children ranged from babies to the oldest class.
I told them, 'Don't feel like you have to endure it until the end or be formal;
if you want to move, move; if you want to shout, shout;
you can lie down or just listen in a relaxed way!'
But everyone listened with their mouths open until the end 😂
Even the babies sat there, smiling, clapping their hands, and watching over me 😂
'People tell me, "I don't really understand classical music, so please play songs everyone knows."
But I perform for the money, for the performance opportunities,' say the musicians.
I have actually been told that before too:
'I don't really understand classical music, so please play songs everyone knows.'
But I don't play recent popular songs or Ghibli music anymore.
As long as I stand on stage, I have decided to deliver the ultimate music I have pursued.
That is because I know that if you deliver the best, it will reach anyone.
I think it is the classical musicians themselves who are leaving people in the dark,
and narrowing their own possibilities.
Suppose there is a problem or dissatisfaction.
If you look away from the crucial parts,
if you are waiting for 'someone' else,
it will never be solved in your lifetime.
There are countless ways to do things.
Nothing starts unless you move yourself.
That's why I decided that I would do it myself.
Then I was able to polish my sound.
I will continue to do this to polish my sound and to deliver good music!
Finally, thank you so much to Kawada Nursery School for welcoming me warmly and cooperating!
If you are currently:
・Thinking about studying abroad in Germany and want to prepare for it
・Wanting to develop expressive power. Wanting to find your own expression. Wanting to polish your technique for that purpose.
・Unable to show your true ability during performances, competitions, or auditions
・Wanting to perform with confidence
・Wanting to produce a sound that moves people's hearts
If you have such thoughts, please let me hear your story once.
Rather than lessons that only refine technique,
I value the time where your own senses and sound connect.
Lessons are available both in-person and online.
Please feel free to contact me, starting with a free consultation.
For details, clickherebelow
I also accept requests for performances.
Without being bound by format or genre,
I value music that reaches the hearts of those present and the space itself.
Whether it's for concerts, events, or performances in private spaces,
it's fine even at the stage of 'I wonder if I can ask for this kind of situation?'
Please feel free to contact me for consultations or inquiries below.
Mayuko Shimakawa Official Website
https://mayuko-shimakawa.amebaownd.com/