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PRACTICE TIPS #69: Principles of Phrasing, part 3
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Brent Hugh
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Feb 27, 2002 21:12 PST
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piano practice tips and ideas, by Brent Hugh
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PRACTICE TIPS #69: Principles of Phrasing, part 3
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In the last two newsletters we talked about how to tell where the points of
intensity/relaxation are in a phrase (listen to the harmony, the rhythmic
activity, and the melodic contour) and how to communicate the shape of the
phrase (dynamics, tempo, articulation). Now . . .
Phrasing in Real Life
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** Basic ideas can combine and conflict **
* In one phrase, a burst of rhythmic activity leads to the highest note
of the phrase, but the strongest point of harmonic dissonance comes half a
measure later.
* In another phrase, the highest note comes on a weak beat--the "and" of
beat 4.
So which is most important: melodic contour, harmony, or rhythm? Finding
the answer in any particular situation requires an exercise of musical
judgement. Usually there are a variety of "right" answers--a number of
different ways a phrase can be played convincingly. If you listen to ten
artist-performers play a particular phrase, you will likely hear ten quite
different interpretations.
* You play a particular note louder (dynamics), detached (articulation),
and slightly stretch the time between this note and the next note
(tempo/agogic accent).
* You create a climax by using overlapping pedal (legato articulation),
a crescendo (dynamics), and a slight rallentando (tempo).
* You voice the soprano and bass lines and play the inner voices softer
(dynamics). At the same time, you detach all the notes of the basscarefully
keeping them all the same lengthand connect the soprano notes with a
flowing legatissimo (articulation).
These are typical ways of combining the performer's three basic musical
elements (dynamics, tempo, articulation) to create meaningful musical
communication.
Next time: Basic Music-making vs. Artistic Music-making
Happy practicing!
--Brent
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PRACTICE TIPS is by pianist, teacher, composer, and internet nerd
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+++++++++++++++++ Brent Hugh / bhu-@mwsc.edu +++++++++++++++++
+ Missouri Western St College Dept of Music, St. Joseph, MO +
+ Piano Home Page : http://www.mwsc.edu/~bhugh +
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