Articulation & Tone Production
Lesson time: (1min 53sec)
Annabel Thwaite shows how to shape a soft, velvet tone for Silent Night, using arm weight rather than attack to keep the sound cantabile.
Free lesson
This lesson is part of the course Learn Christmas Classics on Piano
Watch this lesson for free below.
Lesson transcript:
Music Lesson: Achieving a Debussy-like Sound
As we said, this piece is very Debussy; it's very satiesque, like a gymnopedie. I'd recommend looking at one of those as well.
Key Concepts: Soft Tone and Arm Weight
- Soft Tone: The goal is to maintain a very velvet tone.
- Arm Weight: Focus on using arm weight with a lot of freedom.
- No Attack: Avoid any attack with the keys or fingers.
Producing a Weighted Sound
- Aim for a very weighted sound, as if you're going right to the bed of the keyboard.
- It's not just about how you produce the sound going down; it's also about how you release the sound.
Example: The Word "Sleep" at Bar 21
- If we were very fingertip-oriented, we might produce a harsh sound, which we want to avoid.
- Instead, strive for a weighted sound that allows for a smooth release. This technique utilizes the full length of the keyboard and the strings in the piano, this is the beauty of the piano.
Coaxing a Cantabile Sound
Let's look at how to produce a beautiful cantabile sound:
- Coaxing the Notes: I want you to coax the notes out.
- Think of it like a ballet dancer on points, or even a tarantula, as I sometimes mention to my pupils. You're essentially drawing the sound out.
Key Takeaways
- Even though the piano is a percussive instrument, aim to coax a melancholy sound from it.
- Capture a bell-like, cantabile quality instead of simply hitting the keys downwards.
About the instructor
Recognised as one of Britain's most versatile and charismatic pianists, Annabel Thwaite enjoys a diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, educator and examiner, and has won all the major accompanying prizes, including the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier, Gold Medal, and Richard Tauber Piano Prizes. She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Roberto Alagna, Bryn Terfel, David Kempster and "Only Men Aloud!" Annabel has recorded for Universal records with the "Scottish Tenor", whose album was nominated for a Classical Brit Award and is regularly played on Classic FM. Twice the accompanist for the Festival of Welsh Male choirs, her performances at the Royal Albert Hall were recorded by Sain and have been aired on S4C. She is also a film session pianist, having recorded at Abbey Road the music for the film "Awake", the BBC Jane Austen series "Emma", "The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister" and, most recently, she has appeared on both Blue Peter and "The Rob Brydon Show". "...no doubt helped by the obviously brilliant piano accompaniments from Annabel Thwaite...highly enjoyable." In her MusicGurus courses - Learn Christmas Classics on Piano, Learn Classical Favourites on Piano, and Growing Chamber Groups and Small Ensembles - Annabel shares the musicianship behind that versatile career. You will learn how to bring well-loved Christmas and classical pieces to life at the piano, develop your touch and phrasing, and, drawing on her award-winning experience as an accompanist, discover how to listen, lead and play together when making music with other musicians in chamber groups and small ensembles. read more