Pablo Casals

“Don’t give notes. Give the meaning of the notes.”
–Pablo Casals, cellist
The Musician’s Way, p. 34

What does it take to give meaningful performances?

To begin with, we have to awaken our imaginations so that every pitch we play or sing vibrates with life.

Then, we have to respond deeply to the emotional grammar of a composition, which is the subject of this post.

The Emotional Grammar of Music

Musical grammar differs from the linguistic variety in that it doesn’t necessarily convey specific meanings, but it nonetheless operates according to patterns that we understand emotionally.

That is, any listener perceives the dread in Chopin’s funeral march and senses the contrast between those phrases and ones expressing joy.

But to transmit the emotions in music, as opposed to merely listen to them, we have to make interpretive decisions and then adjust our sound and timing to communicate the feelings we want to project.

Both the decision-making and the execution aspects of the interpretation process require deep practice.

“Musical grammar differs from the linguistic variety in that it doesn’t necessarily convey specific meanings, but it nonetheless operates according to patterns that we understand emotionally.”

7 Essentials of Artistic Interpretation

The following is a snapshot of the 7 Essentials of Artistic Interpretation presented on pages 23-34 of The Musician’s Way.

These essentials are meant as benchmarks for you to use to develop your interpretive abilities and create your own heartfelt interpretations.

You can also expand your interpretive vocabulary by listening to recordings of other artists and noting how they employ these seven essentials.

“To transmit the emotions in music, as opposed to merely listen to them, we have to make interpretive decisions and then adjust our sound and timing to communicate the feelings we want to project.”

1. Capture the Mood, Style, and Tempo

Like an actor reading an unfamiliar script, acquaint yourself with the scope of a new piece before you practice individual phrases.

You might research a composition’s background, sight-read through it, and peruse recordings.

2. Shape the Dynamics

As a basic interpretative approach, increase and decrease your volume in keeping with fluctuations in melodic, harmonic and dramatic intensity.

3. Color the Tone

Use tonal variations ranging from bright to dark, as well as vibrato (if your instrument allows), to enhance the moods you convey.

4. Mold the Articulation

Create a seamless legato, mix in slurs and staccatos, and punctuate phrase-breaks with silence.

“Both the decision-making and the execution aspects of the interpretation process require deep practice.”

5. Contour the Meter

Start with steady configurations of stronger and weaker beats, and then fine-tune your emphasis according to the melodic and harmonic content.

For example, when long notes in a melody fall on offbeats, they usually call for some degree of accent; when phrases repose on downbeats, those downbeats typically need softening (i.e., a reduction in volume and emphasis), even though initial beats ordinarily are stressed.

6. Drive the Rhythm

Zoom H4n Recorder

Move from weak beats to strong ones and from short notes to long so that your music pulsates with forward motion.

Use a self-recorder to help you assess your timing and execution – the Zoom H4n is a favorite tool among performers.

7. Express the Form

Bring out the high points of compositions and pull back at subdued moments, saving your boldest gestures for climactic peaks.

In that way, you craft each phrase in proportion to a composition’s overall design, enchanting your listeners in the process.

All of these concepts are fleshed out in The Musician’s Way and illustrated with numerous music examples. 

Related posts
The Art of Spontaneity
Deep Listening
Generating Emotional Depth
Mastery and Mystery
Soulful Control

© 2012 Gerald Klickstein