Beyond Beautiful Piano Chords: The Real Secret To Playing Beautifully
Have you ever listened to a pianist play and was completely awestruck by how beautiful they sounded? Does that inspire you to want to play the most beautiful piano pieces yourself?
Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate player, achieving that level of piano mastery may seem daunting. Maybe you’re worried that it’s going to take years for you to get there. It’s not. Don’t worry. You just need to understand these three essential elements—articulations, dynamics, and phrasing—and you’ll be well on your way to playing beautiful piano songs in no time.
Element #1: Articulations
Articulations are in performance, “the characteristics of attack and decay, of single tones or group of tones, and the means by which these characteristics are produced…” Basically how the notes are played on piano.
There are two main articulation styles: legato piano (smooth and connected) and staccato piano (detached and crisp).
Listen to the difference between staccato and legato articulations in Aerith’s Theme:
Beautiful music will most of the time be played with legato articulations. The piano is technically incapable of playing a true legato, because when the hammer strikes the keys, the note is already starting to decay. (Keyboards work the same way, even though the process is digital.) True legato requires a constant stream of sound, like a violin or a wind instrument.
To create a legato sound, hold down a note for as long as possible and continue to hold it as you move on to the next one. Only release the previous note as you start to press the next key, creating an overlap of the notes. This technique, combined with a strong and steady hand, will allow you to control the legato and play emotional piano chords with ease.
Make sure your hand is nice and relaxed, but not so relaxed that your fingers bend and your knuckles curve. Keep it strong and steady because a strong hand will better control that legato. This technique isn’t difficult at all and you’ll find yourself understanding how to play legato in no time.
Element #2: Dynamics
Dynamics are the aspect of music relating to degrees of loudness. They refer to the volume of the music, ranging from soft and quiet to loud and powerful. Remember, beautiful music can be played at any dynamic, giving you plenty of room to explore and practice.
Instead of thinking about dynamics as mere volume changes, consider them as colors that paint the emotions of the music. What is this loud saying here? What is this quiet saying here? The loudness in one piece might convey a different sentiment compared to the loudness in another. To find the perfect dynamic balance for your interpretation, experiment with playing the extremes—too loud or too quiet—and discover the sweet spot in between.
Another way to refine your piano dynamics choices is to listen to performances by pianists you admire and analyze how they interpret the music. Draw inspiration from various musicians and instruments, and let their unique approaches to dynamics fuel your own creativity.
Element #3: Phrasing
Phrasing breathes life into your music, giving it shape and narrative. It can be challenging to define, but in essence, phrasing is giving a line of music shape or a narrative.
- Take a listen to this line of music where I played the notes the same exact way.
- It doesn’t really sound bad, but there isn’t any soul to it either. Listen to it now as I add some character to the line.
The first example lacks soul and character, while the second one is more expressive and engaging. Think of piano phrasing as similar to speaking. Just as our voices rise and fall to convey meaning, music should also ebb and flow to create a sense of story and emotion starting quietly and gradually growing louder before fading away.
If you’re not sure where the phrase is, try singing it out loud. Your voice will intuitively guide you in building the phrase and connecting the notes with emotion.
Conclusion:
Articulations + Dynamics + Phrasing = Beauty
By mastering these three elements—articulations, dynamics, and phrasing—you’ll be well on your way to playing the beautiful piano chords and lovely piano chords that captivate your audience. Keep in mind that beauty is subjective, and there’s always room for interpretation and various opinions. Nonetheless, these elements will serve as a solid foundation for creating the beauty you wish to express in your piano playing.
Discover two exciting ways to embark on your path to beautiful piano playing:
- Join Smart Game Piano and gain access to beginner piano courses tailored to help you master the essentials.
- Dive into a library of over 600 beloved video game songs, to find beautiful songs to play on the piano.
Let the musical journey begin with Smart Game Piano!
