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PRACTICE TIPS #71: Communicate Through Music . . .
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Brent Hugh
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Mar 15, 2002 18:50 PST
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PRACTICE TIPS is an occasional email newsletter with practical
piano practice tips and ideas, by Brent Hugh
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PRACTICE TIPS #71: Communicate Through Music . . .
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Practice Tips reader Debbie Kahan of Stamford, CT sent this interesting
idea to help improve performer's musical communication skills:
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Several years ago, when I started sending students out from "the provinces"
of Connecticut to Competitions in New York, one of the first exercises I
gave them was to imagine performing before an audience of beings who did
not have any comprehension of the spoken word. They (the audience) could
only experience and understand feelings through the various means of
expression used in music. Therefore, these youngsters would have to find
ways to transmit their (and the music's) feelings through their playing.
Believe me, they were baffled at first, and didn't know where to
start. However, as each returned to his/her lesson the following week some
very interesting things happened in their playing! They had to be aware of
the patterns, direction and high and low points of phrases, of different
textural effects that would change emotional impact when a phrase was
repeated, of holding back or moving forward on particular notes in order to
give more or less weight to a particular musical idea.
Since then, this concept has been expanded in many ways and remains a basic
exercise in the communicative power of music.
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Thanks to Debbie for sending in a very interesting practice idea--and
remember, I always welcome input and ideas from Practice Tips readers.
Happy practicing!
--Brent
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PRACTICE TIPS is by pianist, teacher, composer, and internet nerd
Brent Hugh. Brent knows about practicing mostly because he *does*
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