The case of master's degree in piano at Leeds Conservatory of Music, jazz piano focusing on "improvisation" is a very difficult kind of music. This article introduces how Yu applied for master's degree in piano at Leeds Conservatory of Music, and how to communicate with the interviewer of Leeds Conservatory of Music and take the initiative.

Jazz piano is too difficult!

Most people play classical music on the piano, and not everyone can try to play jazz.

Because playing jazz is more important than playing classical music or popular music "Improvisation" , improvisation requires high musical skills.

But for those who like jazz, the jazz piano is too attractive. Jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington and Scott Joplin regard the piano as an indispensable instrument of jazz.

Yu, who played the piano since childhood, is also one of the people who likes jazz music. Her goal is to try to play the jazz piano.

Outstanding students of this period

Yu classmate Master of Jazz Piano

Admitted institution: Leeds Conservatoire

After graduating from college, I worked for more than a year and accumulated some experience, but I want to be more professional, Jazz piano is western music after all. If you want to learn it well, you should go abroad.

He began to learn electronic piano at the age of 7, and then began to learn piano and classical music all the time. He started listening to modern music in high school and liked rock and roll, so he decided to learn popular keyboard and take an examination of music majors.

In my sophomore year, I formed a band. Music lovers write songs together and participate in music festivals together. When learning in natural light, I sometimes form a band with my teachers and classmates to play music together.

Adapted a piece of music "Treasure Island" by Japanese Square Band

Recording at night

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▲ In the rehearsal room, Yu is in position C of the video, Teacher Jin is on the left, and Ma is a Berklee student on the right

　　 Ensemble is a good way to improve your performance ability.

　　 Interview for Master of Piano at Leeds Conservatory of Music

Do a good job of details and let the interviewer remember you

During the interview, there were two teachers, who were just interviewing, without the audition performance.

Before the interview, I went to the official website of Leeds Conservatory of Music and found many things in the part I was interested in. I went to know the professors of Jazz Piano at Leeds Conservatory of Music and listened to their works. I also found Duke Ellington's music collection, such as tapes, in the archives of Leeds Conservatory of Music, which seemed to me a new continent.

I chatted with the interviewer about these details - "Liz I found", and he was surprised at that time.

　　 The interview teacher of Leeds Conservatory of Music also talked to me about the details of the paperwork In the document, I mentioned that my love for jazz started from the amazing music of British singer Sting and keyboard player Jason Rebello. Unexpectedly, the interviewer told me that they were teaching in Leeds.

These are two details that surprise each other and make each other feel very compatible. I think this left a good impression on the interviewer. I suggest you also You can go to the Leeds Conservatory of Music's official website before the interview. Maybe you will get different results.

Another topic that surprised me during the interview: You are a Chinese student. What are your advantages in learning jazz here?

There is no unique answer. Students who do not know how to answer can also contact Natural Light Art to study abroad.

Leeds Conservatory of Music The first school in Britain to set up a jazz course , has an absolute leadership position in the jazz field. Jazz and Piano performance All of them are world leaders.

The Leeds International Jazz Symposium is a grand event of Leeds Conservatory of Music, which is a large-scale event in the national industry circle. This has attracted the participation of many international musicians, scholars and performers, and has also given students a good opportunity to appreciate and think about jazz.

The architecture of Leeds Conservatory of Music is also very modern. The recording studio and concert room are equipped with the most advanced equipment in the world.

　　 Learning jazz without deviation

The teaching direction without deviation is the shortcut to improve ability

My teacher is Mr. Jin from ETHOS, who is very strict, serious and thoughtful about music.

At the beginning of class, we had a strong argument about music.

I learned some jazz music in my undergraduate course, but it's different from what Mr. Jin taught me. It's like overturning the building I learned before and building it again, so I'm not used to not accepting it. But gradually I realized that what I had learned in the past was not rigorous: many words in music learning were in English, while Chinese teaching was in China. The learning from English to Chinese translation was a reprocessing of first-hand information. By the time we learned, the information had more or less errors.

After learning from Mr. Jin, he corrected many mistakes in music learning for me. The teaching is no longer in Chinese. In academic and professional fields, Mr. Jin taught in English, putting aside unnecessary difficulties in understanding.

▲ Yu, a corner of the keyboard in the rehearsal room

Teacher Jin taught me a good habit, that is, when I don't practice the piano, I should also listen to the master's works.

Everyone's style is very strong and different. You need to listen more before your ears can be polished. If we hear a sound from a master's work is well used, we can borrow it from our own work. For example, we don't cook our own dishes, but we can learn a lot from the chef's cooking. Some condiments have a specific flavor, which may be different when put into our own dishes.

Another good habit is to practice more and have a way to examine your own works. I usually make some music and play it again; When I feel very satisfied, I will record it and listen to it again, and I can find many small problems. Practicing the piano like this is a very good way to make progress.

With music, learning is lifelong. In addition to studying abroad, Yu is also trying to develop his second major, so he has more confidence in his future career development!

Application and admission requirements of Rice University School of Music

Living and accommodation conditions at the Royal College of Music, London

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