The Importance of Articulation in Piano Playing

Articulation is incredibly important because it's a tool that a pianist has and can develop to showcase their uniqueness and individuality. This applies not only to the interpretation of a specific piece but also to general playing.

Exploring Articulation: A Closer Look at Bar One

Let's look at bar one, for example. It features:

• A descending bass line made up of octaves.

We could approach this in different ways:

• Legato: Play it all legato.
• Accentuation: Accentuate the octaves a little bit, like this:
  • Ascending Octave: Accent the upward octave interval.
  • Descending Octave: Use a legato effect for the descending octave.

Alternatively, you might want to accentuate the semitone in between each tone.

The Fun of Playing Bach

There's a host of possibilities, and that's the fun of playing Bach. You can explore a whole vocabulary of articulation ideas. Just as you would describe the mood, a sad mood, for example, articulation can emphasize that mood or sound, particularly the harmonic sound.

• Key Consideration: This piece is in D major at the beginning.

Creating Mood Through Articulation

Depending on your interpretation, you might:

• Use a bit of portamento or detachedness.
• Experiment with staccato to evoke an uplifting mood.
• Opt for a reflective character with a more legato effect.
• Combine elements to create a balance of both uplifting and melancholic feelings.

The Freedom of Expression

Remember that whatever you decide about articulation, whether you choose legato here, staccato there, or mix and match, there is no right or wrong answer.

• It's about developing your own individuality.
• You must be convinced by your interpretation. If you're convinced, the audience will then be convinced too.

Dynamic Coloring and Interpretation

This concept also applies to dynamic coloring. While we may not have specific dynamics or tempos indicated, a whole host of ideas is available for interpretation.

At the end of the day, you're the one interpreting Bach in your own way, similar to how one might read a poem. To be successful, you must be convincing. If you are convinced, the audience will be as well.