(Just) Playing Correct Notes or . . .

Playing Notes Correctly?

There is a difference as I daily, repeatedly, demonstrably remind my students.

Even when playing all the correct notes/rhythms/basic dynamics in a piece of music, the piece still will not sound right because of misplaced accents, inappropriate staccato releases, or phrasing that does not fit the music.

One example is the ostinato pattern in "Carol of the Bells". Too many students place the accent in the wrong place or with too many accents in the pattern. DUM -de -de -de sounds great! dum-de -de- DUM sounds like somebody tripping over their own feet! (Listen to the video for these examples).

This usually happens because the thumb is playing the last note in the pattern, and too many pianists come down hard on their thumbs instead of lifting lightly off the tip of their thumb without accent

There is no one staccato fits all. The staccato attack and release must fit the music! Want to sound playful? Play a very short, light but crisp staccato, using the tips of your fingers. In a Minuet, do you want to sound like a dancer gently touching her toes to the floor? Press the keys gently and release slowly, using a little more pad of your fingers. Want to sound very energetic, maybe even angry? Accent those staccatos with stiff fingers!

Phrasing helps us understand the music just like the commas and periods in prose. Where does one phrase end and another begin? Show your listener (even if it is just the student playing for himself) by how you attack and release the phrase. Decide which is/are the most important notes in the phrase and emphasize just those notes. (As opposed to playing every note as if you are always whispering or always yelling at someone!)

No one would accuse me of being the most accurate pianist/musician in the world, but I do play expressively. My favorite college professor had a mantra: "Make wrong notes sound right!" Playing notes correctly is the key to making right or wrong notes sound expressive, and the right notes even more expressive.

And isn't that the point of being a musician?