meaning and emotion in the meaningless

[Tash]

i've been told by my teacher to in certain parts of certain pieces to put more meaning and emotion into it. but i'm really not feeling anything at all, which really is not very good. sometimes i can get pieces where the whole thing, or just parts mean something, and then the next phrase says bugger all to me. but how do i make these phrases to mean something when i feel nothing for them?

[pianonut]

the more you play something, the more it takes on a personal meaning to you (which is probably quite different than someone else's).  i am perfectly happy to keep my 'meanings' to myself, but when i come upon one that works for me - for some strange reason rarely change it.  it might be something my teachers says that i want to remember (so i incorporate it in some  kind of association).  or, really unemotionally if i want to remember the notes - i make up words.  or, if i am emotionally charged by it - tell myself 'it's just a song/piece, don't cry.'  getting so many emotions from different pieces lets you experiment with sound.  sometimes you just get a sound in your head (of what you want to hear) and it is an exercise just to make the phrases and piece turn into a 'painting of sound.'  you need to, obviously, not be choppy - so striving to maintain a good speed helps in musicality, imo.

the most musical  musicians, to me, tell a sort of story.  you hear the beginning, the middle, and the end.  they work together and you couldn't imagine the story being told in the shorter version (my teacher takes all repeats).  enjoy the emphasis or change of emphasis at the repeats.  make the end of your practice sessions performance sessions and try to please your 'pretend audience.'  i've learned that taking your time is ok.  don't rush (as most do) even between rests, between movements, and between one piece and the next piece.

[quasimodo]

i've been told by my teacher to in certain parts of certain pieces to put more meaning and emotion into it. but i'm really not feeling anything at all, which really is not very good. sometimes i can get pieces where the whole thing, or just parts mean something, and then the next phrase says bugger all to me. but how do i make these phrases to mean something when i feel nothing for them?

Persuade yourself it's the best music ever written. (I know : very easy to say...)

[abell88]

My teacher used to tell me the same thing, or that I needed to feel the music more. What I really needed was someone to translate for me the exact physical things I needed to do that would help convey the feeling...basic phrasing, in other words. It's not (necessarily) a matter of what you feel, so much as knowing how to express something (even if you're not feeling it yourself)...Since you've been thinking about art and music, Tash, perhaps you could try to picture a painting or scene in a movie that *could* correspond to the phrase -- then figuring out how music would convey that (I mean, if this were a film score, what exactly would it be doing?). Does this make sense? I'm a little tired...

[Bob]

Maybe you could play around with imagery for the piece?  Find some story, or piece of a story, that fits that moment in the music. 

Or find what elements of music move you the most (like harmony).  Then pull out the harmonies in the piece.

What piece is it?  Maybe someone else has some emotion they attach to the piece.

You don't have to actually feel it.  You just need to communicate the expression to the listener.  You can practice the elements of those emotions into the piece, the nuances.  You can practice feeling the piece (take a moment in your life where you felt that way, think about that, and play the part.... repeat until the two things become one).  Then there is a point where is not exactly clear whether your acting the piece or actually feeling it.  During the performance, you may have to act it, or if you're lucky the extra intensity of the performance will translate into real feelings and you'll be able to perform it with real expression.  You don't have to actually feel the expression when you play.  And if you repeat the piece and break it down day after day, I can't see how a normal person would.  I do think practicing can wear away the emotions, but that you also "practice" them back into a piece once you get over the technical difficulties.  (And that sounds nice, but I'm still working on it too.)

[Tash]

thanks people, i think i just need to work out what to relate this particular phrase to- like i've got this whole lovely story that works with the piece, except there's this one phrase where i don't know what's going on!! i'll make something up...

[jeremyjchilds]

Perhaps you are not in a place in your life to find meaning in that certain song...

When I read scriptures, I am often suprised at how certain passages that I had previously passed through quickly will suddenly command my attention. I find the same thing with pieces.

Context is everything

[techlogik]

Well, this may not actually make it sound different, but give this a try next time you are with your teacher.

During the section your teacher says you should put more emotion into it, begin to stare dreamily into the sky like you are watching angels fly by as they wave you to join them in the wonderful bliss of the beautiful heavens above.

Then try this, use some well know techniques by some piano prodigies/performers, and lift your hands very high into the air dramatically during sections as if you are performing some of your favorite moves of Tai Chi.

I personally think you need more performing/dramatic moves in your piano playing...therefore, your teacher will have one of two things to say 1) Teacher will be impressed and say, "Wow, that was fantastic, brilliant you are a true master" (although it sounded exactly the same); or 2) Start laughing and ask you what the heck is wrong with you...

Either way, I think your teacher should hopefully get your point that the advice on how to actually "put emotion and meaning" into some real useful instruction which they are being payed would be best.

Otherwise, find a new teacher if they can't offer something more than that.  Or just go it alone.

Cheers and good luck...

[Tash]

maybe the hand movement thing is the issue. because my teacher hates hand movement and tries to stop me doing it as much as possible! but i'll go pretend i'm flying in the sky, that should be humerous! yeah i would like her to try explaining herself a bit more. and i'll be getting a new teacher next year so watch me count down!!

[i_m_robot]

i've been told by my teacher to in certain parts of certain pieces to put more meaning and emotion into it. but i'm really not feeling anything at all, which really is not very good. sometimes i can get pieces where the whole thing, or just parts mean something, and then the next phrase says bugger all to me. but how do i make these phrases to mean something when i feel nothing for them?

how do you take meaning away from something you play

each note means something even if you zone out right?