Music: Podium Patter

Sforzando (forceful attack): "Four old women in the audience must have heart attacks."

A Brahms variation: "Play this line like little crawling lousies."

To a violinist: "Your fingers are like spaghetti cooked ten hours."

To a cello student: "You must opening the windows on your playing." Later: "Ahhh, I see you opening the windows, but air coming in is polluted."

Softly: "Whisper like a lady moving in a silk dress."

To the violin section: "You play this like apple pie with separate pieces. All together, please."

Accented notes: "Play like one shoe fits, and the other is a little small."

Cuing the string section: "Like an airplane pilot....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!