Getting the Most Mileage from a Master Class

A master class is typically a one-session workshop taught by an expert with extensive experience in performing and instructing. 

Before You Attend a Master Class 

Learn about the class itself. Of course, begin by reading the description, but feel free to contact the organizers with specific questions if you need more information. 

• Who is the class for? Is it intended for beginners, intermediate players or professionals? For high school students? For women? For experienced musicians wanting to pick up a new instrument?
  
  
• What will the master teacher focus upon? A particular style of music, improving technique, music theory, learning a piece of music, or playing music in a particular context (playing solo, or for dancers, or with an ensemble, etc.)?
  
  
• What should you bring with you? Do you need have a piece prepared? Should you bring copies of your sheet music? Are audio or video recording devices OK? Should you bring an instrument? Do you need a chair?

Identify your goals. Knowing what you do about the class, what specifically do you hope to get out of it? Be ready to make a brief statement in case the master asks (while you're at it, also get ready to make a brief statement about your experience/training - some teachers will begin a class by asking for your background and your goals for the class). 


Become familiar with the instructor. Read up on their background. Check their website for their bio - which will usually highlight their training, performance and recording experiences. Try to watch at least one clip of a performance - often you can find these on their website or on YouTube.



Attending the Master Class

Warm Up. If you can, play a little right before the class. You'll feel more comfortable, and primed to learn something new.  

Go with Flexible Expectations. Sometimes, the class won't turn out exactly as you expect. Perhaps the PR people had more to do with writing the description than the instructor. Perhaps most of the students who show up have a different level of experience than you - and the teacher gears the class to the predominant level. Perhaps you hoped to cover X but the teacher is focused on covering Y. Make an effort to find the best way to engage with what's offered. What can you learn? 

Attend to Your Attitude. You'll more likely get something valuable from the class if you're open and humble. 

In his pointers for singers attending a master class, Richard Lalli of Yale University offers the following suggestions: 

"Don't make excuses. No one is interested in the fact that you've had the flu, or that your coach told you to breathe at that spot. And don't disagree with the master about his or her suggestions. It won't hurt to try something different, and you can decide later if it's a change you want to keep. If you don't understand something, ask politely for clarification..." (p. 26).

The instructor may give you direct feedback on how you play. Hopefully, constructive criticism will be given graciously, but sometimes it might feel harsh or unkind. In this case, try not to become defensive, but focus on what the feedback suggests about what you might do differently in your playing and your practice. 

Also, keep in mind that masters are also human. Some will seem very encouraging and nurturing. Others may act authoritative and demanding; This may be their normal state, but it's just as likely they're stressed from travel and jetlag or a whirlwind schedule.


Asking Questions

Unless asking for clarification, try to keep your questions fairly general and on topics likely to interest the other students. Some examples:

• Ask about the teacher's beliefs and strategies about how to best practice.
  
  
• Identify an area in your own practice where you feel particularly challenged (others may also share this challenge) and ask for suggestions about how to address it (but resist any urge to show off by asking for an answer to a very technical question that few others would find useful.)
  
  
• Ask the teacher to name other musicians in the genre they consider to be masters, from whom they gain inspiration and insight (make note of the names, so you can find recordings and videos to study later). 

Observe the Unspoken Details 

The master teacher will purposefully tell you this and show you that. Go beyond what's overtly taught by making careful observations. How does the master teacher sit? Hold their instrument? Notice things like the angles of their hands or fingers, the angles at which the wrists, elbows, shoulders rotate, where they seem unexpectedly relaxed or tense. How do they breathe? What characterizes this master's personal playing style? Take notes about what you observe.

Pay attention, too, to the language patterns they use that reflect their beliefs about learning and or playing the instrument. How and where do their words focalize your attention, and towards what ends?

After the Master Class

Within an hour or two, take time to reflect on the class, review your notes, and write down additional notes about what you learned, your insights about the music or playing, what you feel inspired to do or try, and what goals you want to attain based on what you learned or observed.

To increase the likelihood that what you gleaned from the class will really sink in and stick with you, review these notes again within 24 hours, and again 72 hours later, and then one week later (this doesn't need to take long - just read through your notes).

If the master class changed your life (or even just inspired you), you may like to send the master teacher a note to thank them. They'll appreciate your appreciation!

Works Cited

Lalli, Richard. "Master Plan: how to get the most out of a master class." Opera News 69.1 (2004): 24-26. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 23 Nov. 2009.