A Chromatic Approach to Teaching the Piano
We were very young then – barely five years old! Our grandmother, who came
from a line of pianists who had benefited from teaching by Chopin, got us to
play Hanon’s Exercises in C# major there and then. It’s easy and perfectly
possible without any knowledge of theory!
You move your hand slightly onto the keyboard – anchor it there and you
think about “a little sunshine” with each degree, whilst articulating the same
series of notes (which are “brighter”).
So, you’ve shifted slightly over to the right without leaving the
positions with which you’re already familiar.
What’s more, you’re asked to “feel” and “listen” with your fingers.
Indeed, this is simpler when starting out than the B major recommended
by the great composer, which also requires one to have a “tonal” ear already.
On the face of it, you just can’t go wrong even if it’s the first lesson!
And one is left with a deep feeling of enlightenment which is brought about by
this alteration.
From experience, I know that this approach is exceedingly effective and
feasible at any age and in any circumstances – tonal rationalisation can come
at a later stage during musical training studies.
The thing was, despite the idea that this little “game” always sparked
in me, I still lacked something essential: how could this excellent system be
combined with “musical spelling” in general without it seeming artificial and like
an afterthought? To put it in a nutshell, how can one achieve those “moon”
beams of flats without breaking down the original structure?
I had to start from scratch. In fact, from the first lesson it is
necessary to establish double spelling (which was totally untheorised at that
stage) as a reflex. We know that a certain black key will carry two names
alternately, “C#” or “D♭.”
This doesn’t pose a problem for a child. We may venture a comparison. A child
him or herself has both a surname and a first name. With an adult, one can
simply explain the role of the two aforementioned accidentals, without yet
linking them with any spelling necessity, but specifying their double essential
value.
At the same time, I have always been fascinated by the connection
between technical musical education and its crucial foundation. This is the
hand’s natural “prehensile” grounding which was the subject of a research paper
by me. Could we not rely more overtly on the “pinch” – that solid “thumb-index
finger” architecture, so stable and instinctive, which underpins every action
of daily life – and only gradually increase involvement of the other fingers of
the as yet broadly similar tiny infantile or adult hand. They will only be used
little by little, and in that way acquire their requisite autonomy.
The concomitant advantage is that one gets into the habit of keeping the
hand grouped together which is extremely important for keyboard playing. It is
the condition, sine qua non, for attaining
the level of relaxation required for playing the piano.
On reading the first few pages of my Method, you will see that I only
make use of the thumb. Do we risk getting a “heavy thumb”? No! I ask for
absolute control immediately. Recommended exercises range from “forte deciso”
to “triple piano” and pass through every nuance in between. You’ll get used to
controlling your thumb straightaway!
Whilst the young beginner is using his or her thumb in this way, one is
in the best place for positioning the hand along with the whole arm (wrist,
elbow, shoulder, etc.) and the body.
This is while the pupil continues to use both positions – the white and
black keys alternately without making a connection between either of them. I
merely ask for them to be juxtaposed by lifting the hand when one passes from
one to the other (which introduces regular phrasing into playing).
For this reason, switching over to alternating between the thumb and
index finger comes quite naturally as we carry on working at our “C# alias D♭” and our “D# alias E♭,” using the
reflexes already acquired from that unconscious but ever so useful “pinch”
which is part of our everyday life.
This is where a second reality enters. This is the requirement to play either
in unison (which is excellent for ‘equalising’ the fingers, in this case the
thumb by the index finger), or to practise the same fingering with two hands in
inversely symmetrical formulæ, which is more directly physiological. In my
presentation, I balance and combine both.
At the same time, it remains crucial to occupy the entire keyboard as
soon as possible so that the body can position itself calmly, square on.
This also sets up a broad, central breathing range, which is conducive
to relaxation and effective mobilisation of the envisaged gestural dynamic. Lastly,
the invitation remains for limitless exploration at a kinaesthetic level with a
good dose of curiosity and wonder; something which will have a significant
impact on artistic and performing potential!
That’s why octaving is recommended early on. For example, this includes
“discovering” the same “C” in every register which will subsequently be
elicited note by note independently, so that the pupil acquires a “taste for
adventure” when faced with the comprehensiveness of his or her instrument.
One does not play without “listening.” This consists firstly of hearing
an extremely precise “mental sound” very clearly – the one we are aiming for – and
then, while we’re at it, capturing the physical resonance which follows the action.
The fact that the fingers “listen” literally can become the magic formula for
young pupils, like the objective (often novel) of the self-taught adult.
Metre is the first concept we establish. Without it, no music would be
possible! In the same way that no realm of organistic creation could develop
and persist without the complex metre (binary and ternary concomitantly) which
underpins it. This is not to mention our computer clocks!
Musically speaking, the said metre is dependent on the mensuration (on
origin, genre, form and style – not to mention trends and eras). That is why
classical accentuations of four-four time are highlighted at the beginning of
the collection (utilised primarily because it has resonance with ears which are
used to hearing “modern music”).
From the beginning, the student is asked not only to “keep the beat” but
also “mensurate” everything which is played. This is a requirement which is
collectively kinaesthetic (think of dance); conceptual (we count); aesthetic
(no harmonious construction without a founding Number; a regulator Invariant);
and cultural (we note considerable variations from one cultural heritage to
another).
It’s easy to go from four-four time to two-four time, and then,
following on from this, in the most natural manner possible, learn about
three-four time and ternarity.
One should bear in mind that although binary metre, which fits in with
voluntary motricity overall, is the easiest to grasp straightaway, unconscious
motricity (including the beating of the heart) remains a ternary phenomenon
overall. It is an experience with which the body is familiar.
“Seeing” the pulsation or beat is of valuable assistance to begin with. You
can count as you look at it or have a friend count or beat time. You can
identify the onbeats and find the offbeats straightaway. You can artistically
bounce back from one position to the next. You can use the said positions to
articulate one’s melodic-harmonic-rhythmic playing.
Everything which has been stated above is valid for adults and for
self-teaching in general too, beyond the world of musical academia. Here, the
fundamentals of interpretative thought are underscored; visually highlighted, making
it possible to develop and combine them simultaneously and consciously from the
time a person takes their first steps in this field.
Playing an instrument mobilises the entirety of both hemispheres of the
brain, controlling not only the hand but also the whole body; the ear and
constant, significant synaesthesia; a complete array of emotions ranging up to
emotions and “moods” and “states of being” turned into reality by contemplation
and meditation; whilst intellect remains a powerful tool. It is the only one
capable of underpinning all the intuitions we create, depending on our choices
as a performer.
This shows how important it is “to learn an instrument”– in this case
the piano. We relax; we get into action efficiently; we breathe intentionally;
we are filled with wonder. We feel as much from inwards to outwards as vice
versa. We count, we reckon, we calculate, we theorise, we speculate, we foresee
– we create!
This takes us well beyond the meaning of the word!
Therefore, may it be that any suggested “exercise” kindles
“intelligence” on every plane. Let there be no meaningless practising or
playing like an automaton, but instead constant encouragement to make
atmospheres as varied as possible, to express the most complex of feelings and
emotions in various musical languages.
So, may this Method open the way to the indispensable field of Art!
It’s in this regard that I suggest a little experiment which I like to
share with youngsters. Eyes, ears and a mouth are drawn on each nail. In this
way, one lives through one’s fingers. You see with them; listen with them,
taste with them, and you have a broad sensory experience with them…
In view of the fact that the suggested approach is chromatic from the outset,
an immense generic diversity presents itself immediately. It has no limitations
other than those imposed by technical abilities, which will improve as one goes
along.
In this instance, we put forward as many traditional, popular and
serious musical styles as contemporary perspectives. This includes some avenues
leading to modern music which are not overly represented. It is crucial to leave
a door open for people to have access to the most complex and elaborate
languages, whichever stylistic perspective is being considered, whilst encouraging
people to play as wide a variety of styles as possible. This is true “general
musical knowledge” and whatever choices are made later on, it comprises a solid
reference base to which one can always refer.
Finally, may this Method be “joy,” modelled after “Cosmic Joy.” It is
this sentiment which gives life to Art, at the same time as Creative Love.
As Beethoven proclaimed, “Effort turns spontaneously into pleasure; hard
work into joy!”
And so great is the appeal of feeling oneself “grow” in a totally new
way both in soul and consciousness upon achieving each stage, that every
tension completely melts away.
Consequently, may my work be that “prop” to which one attaches a hardy perennial
plant! And which will feed off its own Destiny!
Colette Mourey
Commentaires
Enregistrer un commentaire