Vahl Piano Studio // Passion, Excellence, Artistry

One of my favorite pedagogical speakers is Marvin Blickenstaff. A few yearsago I attended a week long class at St. Thomas University in St. Paul and heard him speak many times. My favorite notes are these, on SHAPING THE SOUND - Rules of Thumb for the Student.

RHYTHM

Shortsgo to longs (crescendo)

Downbeatsare magnetic -- the sound is drawn to them ?but ?

No two successive downbeats should be alike.

Upbeat figures are interesting and have great musical energy.

HARMONY

Stressthe unusual; de-emphasize (relax) the predictable.

I6/4 chords are magnetic. (Think what a downbeat 1 6/4 must be!)

Harmonic considerationsare more powerful than either rhythmic or melodic ones. 

Look to harmony first when determining the sound.

 MELODY

Thelast note of the group is the quietest.

Highnotes must be supported from below.  The important notes are the low ones -- they have energy and push.

Composersoften place their musical goals on long notes. Go to the long notes, make them project.

Upbeat figures are interesting and unpredictable -- downbeats are the predictable result.

Whenin doubt, . . . swell (crescendo).

TEXTURE

Piano sound is most interesting when the hands are never the same volume.

When playing two or more notes within a hand simultaneously, make the volumedifferent for each note.

PHRASING

Placethe focus of your phrase as late as possible. ("The later, thebetter.")

Traditionsays:

                Out of 4, go for 3

                In a two-measure phrase, focuson the downbeat of the second measure

                The Question is more interestingthan the Answer

                Two-note phrases orrelationships favor the first note.

GENERAL   Variety is the spice of musical life. Vary the sound. Do not repeat a phrase exactly the same way.