Learning Notes vs. Learning Music: A Lesson From Great Actors
Aug 21, 2024
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I'll admit I still use the phrase “I’m still learning the notes” if a newer piece is not quite fluid. Years ago, this was much more literal statement for me— I’d mechanically work out a passage, then worry about adding expressive elements later.
Back then, my teacher and musical mentor Brandt Fredriksen noticed this and said, “You can’t learn notes and inject music into them later. It doesn’t work that way.” He probably also found it unbearable to listen to. |
What he meant was this: Picture stage actor Morgan Freeman learning words before adding emotion or expression. It would lead to a monotonous stream of syllables, lacking inflection or direction (this may be difficult to imagine since Freeman is so skilled). It would sound flat, disjointed, and frankly absurd. Why would anyone want to practice that? Separating a word from its meaning is an unnecessary and additional step.
Furthermore, consider how much more challenging it would be to replicate a phrase in a language you don't speak compared to one you do. The meaning of the words enables quicker and deeper assimilation. The same is true for music.
Though deciphering the meaning of a musical score is more intricate and time-consuming that that of words, it's crucial to begin piecing it together from the outset. Analyze chord progressions, melodic contour, rhythm, structure, harmonic patterns, and so forth--the meaning will emerge from these elements. If you find yourself stuck, a helpful question to ask is, "is this creating more or less tension?"
Sometimes composers are subtle, and other times they hit us over the head. As Ken Johansen, professor at the Peabody Conservatory puts it, “the composer creates this meaning, it is the performer’s task to uncover and transmit it to others.”
If anything, expression should be exaggerated in the practice room. Playing music with meaning is the point.
Have a great week and talk to you soon,
Michelle
