Welcome back and today we will discuss another major element in ones technique that may improve your musical performance.
This post covers the importance of the correct use of phrase dynamics in your music.
Most written music offers some indication of dynamics but additional changes in your volume can give your performance much more life and offer your listen more musical nuances than if you just play what is written. Listed to the first example again and notice the absence of any additional dynamic inflections. Now play the second example and in addition to the written changes notice the added changes where the printed copy does not indicate.
You can better understand the concept of emotional dynamic changes by listening to an announcer on television and/or radio. The best presenters are aware of the need to raise their intensity or dynamic inflections in order to emphasize the most important material that is being promoted. Take for example “the pillow man” Mike. I use this example for his commercials are played constantly on most televisions today. Listen for the increase and decrease in volume as he promotes the most important words in each sentence. This is similar to what you need to do to get your musical ideas across. No one enjoys listening to someone speaking a monotone voice. NEWS FLASH Here is something I would like to share right now. Mike’s My Pillow” commercial just started in the next room. I hate that commercial….gerrrrrrr…
Phrase dynamics are added to music to give the performance life and more contrast. Usually each phrase has a high point (top note or notes) and valleys (lowest pitch or pitches). Normally as you ascend, the dynamics will increase and as you descend in a melody the dynamic decrease. Notice that I said “usually” for there are occasions where the opposite is true. Increasing your volume in some cases will give the musical line more strength as it descends. And in some cases decreasing you volume as you ascend with give your listener the impression that you have more control and a better technique than if you increase your volume while ascending. I hope this does not confuse some readers, but increasing and decreasing dynamics will certainly improve your performance if used in the proper settings.
Remember- (generally speaking) “Increase your dynamic as you ascend and decrease your volume as you descend”.
