Last week we explored how to play piano with feeling by using various dynamics of sound: soft vs. loud – and all the levels in-between and beyond. This is perhaps the easiest skill to improve and have yourself immediately sounding more professional. I have learned that beginners of all ages have a “default” volume level which is medium loud and constantly level – no variations. When directed to just “play softer” – the performance instantly becomes more appealing and thoughtful-sounding.

Roller Coaster Playing

Another way to play piano with feeling is by changing the tempo or speed. I’m not talking about the tempo of the entire song, but changing the speed within sections of a line, or tiny changes in speed between even just a few notes. Think about your playing in terms of a roller coaster – sort of. In this link to a 30 second ride on a rather mild roller coaster, the first view is from a distance and the second is from a rider’s viewpoint.

The first view shows the ups and downs, curves and swirls that I wanted to see. The second generates the emotion of the ride – the anticipation – the expected plunge DOWN! That visual view that had me feeling the thrills of the riders is very similar to how playing with rubato can affect the emotions of the listener – and give them thrills or any other emotion. Rubato (an Italian direction in playing) is a “robbing” of tempo/time from one portion to another, creating slower and then faster contrasts – sometimes of just a few notes.

Imagine playing swoops and hills on your piano – like the two keyboard pictures above. What a ride! An expressive “ride” for the listener!

Play Rubato with a Scale

• Put your two hands side by side with both number 2 fingers touching.
  
• Lay them on your keyboard with the left hand finger 5 on the Middle C key.
  
• Play the C Major Scale from the left up to the right going higher, playing medium loud gradually softer with the softest at treble space C key.

• Repeat this but now play gradually slower going up, with a fermata pause on treble space C.
  
• Repeat again – but now play right to left (high to low) – gradually faster and louder – like a roller coaster rushing downhill!

In this exercise, you did not have to concentrate on reading notes and finding their keys. Your entire focus was on changes in volume and speed. The first few times, you may have to really concentrate on playing the differences in volume and speed, but after a short while it should be movements that require little of no thinking.

This is like reading a story out loud to a child and putting emphasis on certain words, speaking fast or slow to add excitement. Those things don’t take a great deal of thought – maybe none at all. That is the goal in order to play piano with feeling. Varying volume and tempo dynamics becomes as enjoyable and easy as that reading aloud.

Fluid Playing in How to Play Piano with Feeling

In this link the point was made to not pause on the bar lines in order to have “fluid playing” – however, you can pause within a measure – a tiny fermata pause, a brief holding – to emphasize a note, perhaps the highest part of the roller coaster hill.

Rubato Demonstration

Here is a great demonstration of rubato playing, however it is rather advanced. Think of it as your goal! I recommend starting at the 6:44 mark and through to the end.

In Considering How to Play Piano with Feeling

As you have already realized, the volume dynamics, the fluid playing, the crowning touch of rubato – these all take time to develop in your playing. However, you can start with small embellishments in your daily playing that are comfortable and build on that each week, more and more!

Leslie Young is the author/composer of the Revolutionary Piano Method. She co-founded a K-12th grade charter school in Texas and has been a piano teacher for about 40 years. She has had experience teaching a variety of students tackling piano for the first time or as returning student

She states: “In teaching piano to students of varying ages, what also varies is a commitment of time and the amount of dedication. Children of certain ages may do very well with a parent as teacher; others may need someone who is not family to instruct them. Some older children and adults prefer to make progress on their own, and this method is designed to act as a meticulous guide through new material. Some adults and teens insist on professional teachers, which also encourages continuity. Because these books are self-explanatory, a new or experienced professional teacher will have no trouble using the Revolutionary Piano Method with students. It is an easy way to learn piano.”

Leslie believes that “learning to play the piano is more about diligence and perseverance” – but would add that just as critical to success is the method that is used, the encouragement of critical thinking, and the instructional principles that promote immediate success.

What Would the First Lesson for a Young Student Look Like?

What Would the First Lesson for a 6 to Teen Look Like (video)?

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