The Exploratory Pianist

" LP Record: Perspectives in Percussion " by DanCentury is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 . I’m sure this isn’t news to you, but language has a rhythm. Poets and lyricists use the rhythm of language to intensify their message or (occasionally) to create ambiguity. For example, if the message is about societal expectations versus true feelings, the words and the rhythm might be at odds. The words might be glum while the rhythm is quick and spirited, or the words might be about happy things while the poem or song marches along in a sober sort of way. Not only that, each language has its own rhythm, which often causes trouble in the translation of metered poetry. This is part of why some translations of Dante or Moliere seem so much better than others even to those of us who can’t possibly rate the translation on the accuracy of its meaning. So how does this relate to music? How can music students use this knowledge to help them with their learning and practice? There ...

fear of a little cat by wolfgangfoto CC BYND 2.0   One of the best ways to grow emotionally strong and to develop self-discipline is to do what scares you. I don’t mean that you need to learn how to hang glide or tame lions. I don’t mean for you to do things that are frightening for everyone for a good reason . I myself do not feel particularly drawn to the idea of (for example) taking research equipment into a burning caldera or hunting Burmese pythons in the Everglades. I could imagine myself feeling a little fear in the moment if I found myself doing one of these things, and that would affect my reactions. Nevertheless, this is not what I mean. I do not mean chasing down a random, possibly dangerous, situation that will probably cause you to feel fear. What I mean is this: there is some non-dangerous (probably) activity that you could try, but you keep putting it off. You don’t delay out of boredom, as with dishes and tax returns. You don’t put it off because,...

    I love to listen to Rachmaninoff! His chords are lush and his motives sing with heart-rending clarity. His cadences range from comfortable to surprising without ever failing to provide a satisfying transition into the next section of the music. I willingly get lost for hours listening to Rachmaninoff's music. One day, as I trolled through YouTube, I found a recording of Rachmaninoff playing his own compositions. I was thrilled! And then I listened to it. The sound was lifeless. The chords were limp and the melody just barely stood out from the background. The whole song sounded like someone had stuffed it full of cotton balls. I was so disappointed!  I walked away from that recording with a multitude of questions running through my head. Rachmaninoff was a renowned virtuoso. How could he have played so very badly without knowing to destroy the evidence? Or maybe it was a problem with the recording technology of the 1930's? Maybe they just didn't yet have the ability t...