The promise of musicianship

So many piano students are seeking the "secret". The secret that sends them to the front of the line. This secret is called "musicianship". This secret is made up of four principal areas: technique, theory, history, and aural skills. Here are four ideas or reasons to work in these areas. 

1. Practice piano technique with a metronome as this will get your internal musical clock in order. 
2. Master theory/rudiments/harmony that is appropriate to your level. Learning how music is constructed helps you to memorize and understand what you are playing.  
3. Read music history. Knowing the breadth of repertoire and the historical context of your style of music allows you to play with more insight. Classical students study classical history, jazz students jazz history, etc. 
4. And finally work on your ear training or aural skills. The ability to visualize the sound of music in your head before you play it  is often overlooked by music students.  


David

Below is a video of the Duke Ellington student staple, Satin doll. The video is cued for the B section or middle 8. Listen to the trombone "lick" played when the chord progression lands on F. Figure is out. It is in the key of F, starts on A. Now check out the video I've made on what to do with this lick. This is an example of aural skills in action. 

revised May 2023