Past, present and future faculty, staff and students
Techniques for learning a new piece of music
It occurs to me that this is a topic that is not often discussed. I offer some of the techniques taught in score study as possible suggestions and reccomendations. Most of us begin to learn a new piece by playing through it. I think learning a piece of music shoudl actually start with reading it as you would a book. Learn the form first.
Form: Are there repeats? Where are they located and what exactly do they repeat?
Is there a D.S.; D.C; Coda, etc. Is a D.S., where exactly is the sign. If an al coda, where is the coda; and so on. Is the form AAB, AABA, Strophic, Sonata Allegro, Fugue or something else?
* Using a pencil, mark your music making note of tricking repeats, signs and codas
Next learn a little about the style....
* What is the era of music? What stylistic considerations from that era should "build into" your perfomrance of this piece?
* Dyanamics and articulations: What do the various dynamic and articulation markings (p, <>, slurs, staccato, tenuto, etc.) tell me about phrases in this piece of music?
* Key, meter and tempo: Are there any changes? Is this piece supposed to be performed slowly or is it quite fast? What does the meter tell you about where the accent is supposed to be? Are there any pitches that have accidentals not represented by the key signature?
When you being to look at music this way before you have even played a note, you understand a bit of the intent or interpretation of a composer or arranger. When you being to play the pitches, you are already aware of what might pose problems, and can hopefully then, avoid them. It is never too late to try this out.
Choose one of the pieces you are currently studying. Look up the piece, the composer or the arrangeer. Go through your music highlighting for yourself what you will need to remember to look out for. Read up on the era, style or genre you are playing. See if it doesn't add something to your ability to perform the piece once you know a little bit more than just, the notes, rhythms, etc. Let me know what your experience has been by responding here or in class.
Form: Are there repeats? Where are they located and what exactly do they repeat?
Is there a D.S.; D.C; Coda, etc. Is a D.S., where exactly is the sign. If an al coda, where is the coda; and so on. Is the form AAB, AABA, Strophic, Sonata Allegro, Fugue or something else?
* Using a pencil, mark your music making note of tricking repeats, signs and codas
Next learn a little about the style....
* What is the era of music? What stylistic considerations from that era should "build into" your perfomrance of this piece?
* Dyanamics and articulations: What do the various dynamic and articulation markings (p, <>, slurs, staccato, tenuto, etc.) tell me about phrases in this piece of music?
* Key, meter and tempo: Are there any changes? Is this piece supposed to be performed slowly or is it quite fast? What does the meter tell you about where the accent is supposed to be? Are there any pitches that have accidentals not represented by the key signature?
When you being to look at music this way before you have even played a note, you understand a bit of the intent or interpretation of a composer or arranger. When you being to play the pitches, you are already aware of what might pose problems, and can hopefully then, avoid them. It is never too late to try this out.
Choose one of the pieces you are currently studying. Look up the piece, the composer or the arrangeer. Go through your music highlighting for yourself what you will need to remember to look out for. Read up on the era, style or genre you are playing. See if it doesn't add something to your ability to perform the piece once you know a little bit more than just, the notes, rhythms, etc. Let me know what your experience has been by responding here or in class.
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