Piano Face?

[j_menz]

I've recently watched a series of masterclasses by Daniel Barenboim on some of the Beethoven Sonatas. One of the things that struck me was that 5 of the 6 pupils had quite markedly odd exp[ressions whilst they played. Lang Lang was one of them, but by no means the worst (which may give you some idea how extremely odd some of the looked).

I found it both distracting and offputting.

So, two questions:

Do you have a piano face? and Do you think it makes you play better or worse?

My answers: I don't think I do, and the effort involved in maintaining the one's I've seen must cause tension in all the wrong places, resulting in a weaker performance.

[johnmar78]

Menz, I saw that clip few months ago, that Lang Lang looke dlike in early 20's, befroe he got famous. I have to say his father is an opera director, thereofre, all music expression has to be tranfered to facial in a more exaggeraited from. I close my eye when I see him, or just watch some one elese.
I have little facial expression just like everyone else to, when your body and mental are fully embeded in music/playing, you would be supprise what your face/mouth will do... Video youself.... So as long as you are not pretending or some kind of ATTENTION SEEKER, I dont think it would distract form playing, perhaps from viewer point of view, yes.

[charliefreak]

the effort involved in maintaining the one's I've seen must cause tension in all the wrong places, resulting in a weaker performance.

I completely disagree.  When a person is feeling a certain emotion whilst playing music, it's quite normal and natural for his body language and facial expressions to reflect that.  In my opinion the tension and weaker performance would occur from trying to maintain a facial expression (poker face) that is contrary to the emotion one is feeling.

When I see a person performing a very emotional piece where, for example, the music is supposed to express some extreme emotion, such as heartbreak or rage, I find it inappropriate to see a blank facial expression.  It makes me think the performer is not truly lost in the music.

Richter and Hamelin are two examples of performers that show very little animation of the face and body language, and I think this has an effect on how I view their performances.  When listening to the audio only, I often think "wow, that was intense".  But when seeing the video with the reserved mannerisms I tend to start to reconsider and wonder if the stunning performance I heard was just contrived, as the performer doesn't appear to be that 'into it'.

On the other hand, it can also go the other way.  Where, for example, the music has a slight happy/upbeat feel to it, and the performer has a facial expression that looks like he just won the 100 million dollar lottery.

[piano_vs_science]

On the other hand, it can also go the other way.  Where, for example, the music has a slight happy/upbeat feel to it, and the performer has a facial expression that looks like he just won the 100 million dollar lottery.

LOL!!!

whenever I play(which is hardly) my long black hair covers my face which might look creepy

[thing2emma]

I've been told I normally look like I'm going to puke when I perform.
Yeah that's the price you pay for not performing until Grade 10...
My face is normally pretty neutral, with that dazed inundated by the music look. I've been told that when I play my Chopin Nocturne in E minor I look distraught which, I suppose is good.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I look like  when I'm playing Bach.  But other than that, I make no face. 

But I think faces kinda give you the illusion that you're playing better?  I was playing a piece a while ago and my piano teacher got the impression that I hated it because I didn't make a face.  So I made a fake face and he said it was okay.

Are you kidding me?

[j_menz]

I look like  when I'm playing Bach. 

Try more of a  . You'll find him much easier.

[49410enrique]

Try more of a  . You'll find him much easier.

he's right the sunglasses totally make it


takes some work but you can do it. especially when you consider the alternative for not fixing this

[j_menz]

he's right the sunglasses totally make it

Hahahahahahahahah. 

The lost Arnold Governator Bach.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I completely disagree.  When a person is feeling a certain emotion whilst playing music, it's quite normal and natural for his body language and facial expressions to reflect that.  In my opinion the tension and weaker performance would occur from trying to maintain a facial expression (poker face) that is contrary to the emotion one is feeling.

When I see a person performing a very emotional piece where, for example, the music is supposed to express some extreme emotion, such as heartbreak or rage, I find it inappropriate to see a blank facial expression.  It makes me think the performer is not truly lost in the music.

Richter and Hamelin are two examples of performers that show very little animation of the face and body language, and I think this has an effect on how I view their performances.  When listening to the audio only, I often think "wow, that was intense".  But when seeing the video with the reserved mannerisms I tend to start to reconsider and wonder if the stunning performance I heard was just contrived, as the performer doesn't appear to be that 'into it'.

On the other hand, it can also go the other way.  Where, for example, the music has a slight happy/upbeat feel to it, and the performer has a facial expression that looks like he just won the 100 million dollar lottery.

You don't need to make facial expressions to be immersed in the music.  And just because I don't make facial expressions, doesn't mean that I'm trying to force it to be that way.  That's just how I naturally am.  So how is it inappropriate?  Like you said, Ritcher and Hamelin don't make facial expressions, but they play just fine.  Horowitz even said that in an interview that he can't make facial expressions.  That's just how he naturally is.  He plays like a rock; he never moves, but he's a fantastic performance.  The most flashy performer isn't always the best one.  Lang Lang always makes facial expressions but it's pretty obvious that Horowitz is a better pianist.

I think facial expressions have absolutely nothing to do with how well you play the piano. 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

takes some work but you can do it. especially when you consider the alternative for not fixing this

Poor guy...  Bach was probably one of the requirements for the event he was performing in.  I understand his pain. 

[ajspiano]

I don't mind a performer with a crazy face..

I think personally I would find the below expression problematic for RH lines though.



..possibly left hand also, its hard to tell.

.............

this one also - if his hair isnt set like that I assume he moved backwards FAST - so I think I'd probably fall backwards..   gotta wonder if these are just shot to make him look exciting and they have nothing to do with a real performance..

[j_menz]

look exciting ... nothing to do with a real performance..

Any Lang Lang review in summary. 

[ajspiano]

Any Lang Lang review in summary. 

Maybe if I played a chopin etude with an orange and got a few professional shots done I'd be famous too.

[j_menz]

Maybe if I played a chopin etude with an orange and got a few professional shots done I'd be famous too.

A little old hat now.  Try Scarbo with a watermelon. 

[ajspiano]

A little old hat now.  Try Scarbo with a watermelon. 

I may be able to offer a reharmonised arrangement..

[j_menz]

I may be able to offer a deharmonised arrangement..

Corrected your spelling. 

[ajspiano]

Corrected your spelling. 

Perhaps I should go with something more atonal to begin with..

a slipknot cover..? wait no. Salmon hater.

[j_menz]

Perhaps I should go with something more atonal to begin with..

Cage's 4'33 played with a (heavily tranquilised) elephant, perhaps.

Note: If you can find it on Youtube, you're already too late.

[ajspiano]

with a (heavily tranquilised) elephant

I may need to review some of the recent technique threads before I attempt this

[j_menz]

I may need to review some of the recent technique threads before I attempt this

You can probably use them on the elephant.

[ajspiano]

You can probably use them on the elephant.

I suspect if I did that the RSPCA might come after me.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Maybe if I played a chopin etude with an orange and got a few professional shots done I'd be famous too.

I tried that with a tennis ball and knocked off a couple black keys off my piano teachers piano a couple months ago.  I blamed one of his kids.

I'll never forget this scene

Teacher:  what the *** just happened?!?!???!

Me: hey don't look at me, it was Phillip! 

Teacher:  PHILLIP!!!!!!!!!!

That was a close one!  I don't know what he would have done if he knew it was me!  I was able to get away with a lot of mischief because he had pretty bad kids.  So I would blame them for everything.  But this incident made Phillip REALLY mad.  He wouldn't look in my direction for a whole month!

[zezhyrule]

This thread is hilarious.

For a more on-topic reply... I'm not really sure, I don't record myself often enough. It's probably for the best if I don't know either way, as long as I don't look too stupid. I mean, what my face physically looks like is the last thing I'm thinking about when playing. Unlike Lang Lang. I bet he practices his 'faces' more than the pieces he plays. Wouldn't surprise me.

[musicalpoet23]

My piano face is unattractive sometimes-- because at times, I play with my mouth open -_- but I have learned to control this a bit, so my piano face varies with the piece. Happy pieces, I sorta smile and sorta dance in my spot. Sad pieces, I bow over the piano, and since I have really long hair that scales my back, I look evil >

Piano face-- variable!

[zezhyrule]

Just today I realized that I was sticking my tongue out while playing this one difficult passage for my teacher... And then once I became aware of that I messed up because I was thinking about how my face looked 

[asuhayda]

Hahaha! Piano face... I love it! 

I try my best not to twitch too much when I play. I agree with you, I find it distracting when pianists are too animated.  Plus,  I think it's wise to preserve energy where it is not required.  Scrunching up your face seems like it could lead to tension in "other places" as well.  Just a theory...

[ruvidoetostinato]

Piano face....

I've been told that my mouth is perpetually open (and not just a little ) whenever I perform.

I've tried to fix this cause 1) it looks funny 2) my mother said I look retarded 3) it looks funny

[kclee6337]

usually i stick with the emotion of the piece if its sad i have a sad face one if its a happy piece i look happy,

but when it comes to playing some slow blues with a band i put on my stinky diaper face. the kind of face you make when you've just smelled a really stinky diaper.