articulation

[principe7613]

I want to spend some practice time to improve my articulation. Does anyone know good exercices for that? I played allready a lot of the conventional etudes (chopin, liszt,...) I'm looking for exercises that are focused on articulationproblems.

thx

Joost

[xvimbi]

I don't think there are any excersices for that. IMO, articulation has little to do with moving the fingers in a literal sense. You seem to have a fair amount of technique already, so you most likely have everything required to "achieve" articulation, i.e. stressing some notes more than others, etc. Instead, I find that articulation has more to do with imagination than with a particular technique. So, I would say, focus first on listening and concentrating on the sound that you want to achieve. Your movements will automatically adjust.

[bernhard]

xvimbi is right. On the other hand, if you want opportunities to explore articulations, then the Baroque repertory (Bach, Scarlatti. Handel Duphly, Couperin, Rameau, etc.) is the place to start since articulation was the main expressive device in Baroque keyboard music. It will also develop your musicality since the composers left precious little performance directions in this area, which means that you are faced with a miriad of interpretative decisions at every bar.

Good luck.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[principe7613]

thanks, never tought on that, but indeed you're right about the Baroque pieces. I never played scarlatti, this might be start.
thx

[bernhard]

Make sure you have a look here :

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2339.msg20064.html#msg20064
(Scarlatti favourite sonatas).

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[nick]

When I hear the word articulation, I think of clarity first. Is this what you meant? If so, raising your fingers slightly will improve "articulation".

Nick

[bernhard]

When I hear the word articulation, I think of clarity first. Is this what you meant? If so, raising your fingers slightly will improve "articulation".

Nick

Here is Ralph Kirkpatrick's definition:

"What is phrasing?

Phrasing is the uniting and organising in performance of what belongs together, and the separation of what belongs apart. Further more it is the demonstration of the relationships of notes; it is the demonstration of the differences and gradations of activity and passivity, of tension and relaxation. It parallels the organisation, balancing and punctuation of gesture and of speech.

What is articulation?

Articulation in the sense in which I use the word is a subsidiary of phrasing. Articulation is the mere detaching or connecting of notes."

(Ralph Kirkpatrick – Preface to “Scarlatti –Sixty sonatas” – Schirmer)

Best wishes,
Bernhard.