Basic Musicianship Skills Tone Intonation Technique Rhythm Interpretation
Basic Musicianship Skills Tone Intonation Technique Rhythm Interpretation
Interpretation Six Subheadings Dynamics Balance Tempo Style Phrasing Nuance
Dynamics The control of volume – How loud or soft to play Fortissimo ( ff ) very loud Forte ( f ) loud Mezzo forte ( mf ) medium loud Mezzo piano ( mp ) medium soft Piano ( p ) soft Pianissimo ( pp ) very soft
The Elements of Music Melody Harmony Rhythmic Accompaniment
Balance The proper mixture of the elements of music • The melody must always be heard. • Playing the written dynamics does not guarantee good balance. • Key: Listen, Listen!!
Phrasing • A phrase is a musical sentence. • The most important note in a phrase is the last note. Play it full value and taper it off. • A phrase should be played from beginning to end without interruption. • Bar lines are not breath marks.
Nuance Unwritten, subtle change that adds interest • As the musical line moves upward, increase the volume. • As the musical line moves downward, decrease the volume. • Watch for the climax note of a phrase to which there might be a drive rhythmically, harmonically, or especially dynamically.
More Nuances • Play notes with accidentals louder. • Crescendo through long notes. • In a 6/8 march, the quarter notes and eighth notes are all played short. The quarter notes are just a little louder than the eighth notes.
- Slides: 8