How to Play Beautiful Piano Songs
Whether you enjoy playing for an audience, for family or just for yourself, piano music is one of the great forms of musical expression. No matter which genre you prefer, one of the keys to playing beautifully is to tap into your own emotion and interpretation. Understanding how to use dynamics, touch and even pedaling to help to convey the beauty of piano music will add to your enjoyment.
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Instructions
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Choose a song that you already know and love. It's much easier to add emotion to music when you enjoy playing it.
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Look at the marks that already exist on the score. Check the upper left-hand corner for a tempo marking, the center of the staff for dynamic marks, and above and below the staff for phrase marks. Look for specific marks, such as accents or staccatos. Spend some time studying the music before playing it.
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If you cannot play the music at the correct speed, use a metronome to increase and stabilize your tempo. Begin with the tempo you are used to, then gradually step it up. If you consistently have trouble in certain spots, isolate those few measures and practice them until comfortable. Go back and play the entire section when you are ready. You may even push the tempo beyond what is recommended so that, when you relax into the correct pace, the song will feel easy.
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Exaggerate the dynamics. Play into the keys with confidence in the forte sections, and then lighten up when playing piano (try using the una corda pedal). Use technique exercises to strengthen your hands and give your fingers greater command of the keys.
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Use different touches to shape the music. Practice playing legato sections very smoothly, especially the melody. Write down your fingerings so you play it the same way each time. Accentuate the differences between smooth and shorter notes. When playing accents or staccatos, remember that additional silence between notes will help emphasize the effect.
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Do not over pedal. Keep the sound clean by raising the pedal often while still connecting the phrases.
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Tips & Warnings
Record yourself. You will hear things while listening to the playback that you do not hear while playing. It will help you determine where to make changes.
Listen to recordings of professional pianists. Your ear will become attuned to the great variety of sounds available with the piano, and this will enable you to imitate them yourself.
Do not over pedal. Keep the sound clean by raising the pedal often while still connecting the phrases.
