Deric Bownds' MindBlog: This week's music - Debussy, Minuette from Suite Bergmanesque

Monday, September 24, 2007

Recorded Sept. 13 on my Steinway B at Twin Valley.

Anonymous said...: The gentle passion of this work is close to breaking through in this performance.

Play it ROUGH. Play it GENTLY. Play it many times using various emotions. Experiment through numerous expressive styles.

Make yourself the master of this work at half time and double time.

Then, when you record it again, you will be amazed at how every keystroke resonates with a new power.

I'm a big fan of double time / half time practicing. Both teach a lot. But playing happy / sad, despondent / mad, carefree / somber can also teach a richness that "following the notes on the page" can never match.

Mastering a work means exploring a work.

It can be standard player piano type stuff where every note is mechanically played, with a moderate amount of personal "oomph".

It can go "goofy". It should at times when you feel a "goofy" mood!

THEN, after you have traveled down several paths, instead of just "playing straight", there will be such a richness of expression at your disposal that almost every note will take on a life of its own.

It was very nice to hear and see your performance. I see real talent there!; 10:58 AM

Deric Bownds' MindBlog