Talk with Rhonda Rizzo about Proofplaying Service for Composers



You’ve recently started offering  “proof-playing” services to composers. What prompted you to do this, and  how may composers reach you if they’re interested in hiring you to do  this for them?   

“Many years of experience of  communication with composers show that it is helpful for all new  creations to get feedback from someone who’s opinion you value before  the publication/release. In literature, it goes without saying that you  let other people read and review your work and that you are looking  forward to some suggestions.  I work as a creativity expert with  business companies and see that it is also a standard practice to use a  design-thinking method. The philosophy behind this is that the feedback  from users is equally important as the content creation. Success often  depends on small things and therefore, it makes sense to ask for  feedback before the final release. My experience is that composers  appreciate this feedback and it gives them additional motivation.  
I chose the fiverr platform for my feedback service. I  offer three different levels of feedback and audio recording of the  first reading. I have developed the questionnaire for the feedback to  make it more detailed, structured and constructive. Technical aspects,  notation, interpretation issues, “playablity”, fingerings, and surely  the aspects mentioned by a composer will be addressed in my feedback. ”  
 https://www.fiverr.com/annasutyagina/proofplaying-of-new-piano-compositions
 
In your experience, what do you think are the biggest editing and proofreading mistakes composers make in their compositions?   

” I think a fresh look into the music  score can bring new ideas. Some scores are written for the level  “intermediate beginners” but there is one particular bar with the “extra  difficult” level, in this case, you could ask composer – is it really  necessary to have it? Some notations can be simplified, as pianists do  not read fast in the very high and very low octaves.  Some scores would  profit with some fingering for the needed effect. Sometimes composers  need to put more markings to be more precise.  Different metronome  markings,  etc, different tempo indication to express the idea. There  are always some creative ideas that can bring a final touch to a  composition. ”  

How do you think composers can benefit from your careful reading of their scores?

Music is about  leaving the audience with an impression, and the first “audience” a  composer has beside the family or a pet, is usually a performer. The  recorded reading of the score will allow composers to be a listener too,  “the audience” for their own composition, take a step back and listen  to the music with a new approach as if it were not their own creation.   Read the full interview here: http://www.nodeadguys.com/2020/06/creativity-has-no-limits-interview-with.html