What do you do on a fermata?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Like after you do a scale or a big chord and you have to hold it for a long time, what exactly do you do?  I don't know what to do, so I rest my head on my arms or on the piano lid or something.  But when I do that I feel like there's this awkward silence so I hold it for a very short time and continue playing because I'm embarrassed.  

I know some people do something weird with their arms and hands, but I'm not cut out to do that because I'm very skinny and lanky so it looks stupid on me.  

So yeah, what do you do to avoid the awkward silence?

[counterpoint]

So yeah, what do you do to avoid the awkward silence?

listen - count - breath  

[davidjosepha]

So yeah, what do you do to avoid the awkward silence?

Jumping jacks, usually

But during a long fermata, I generally am so engaged in the music that I'm not even thinking about what the rest of my body is doing. I'm listening and calculating exactly when the volume has decayed enough or I've held it long enough (depending on the specific fermata instance) for me to begin the next section. I guess, really, anything you do during the fermata is fine, as long as you don't distract the audience with your Lang Lang impersonation.

[chadbrochill17]

Like after you do a scale or a big chord and you have to hold it for a long time, what exactly do you do?  I don't know what to do, so I rest my head on my arms or on the piano lid or something.  But when I do that I feel like there's this awkward silence so I hold it for a very short time and continue playing because I'm embarrassed.  

I know some people do something weird with their arms and hands, but I'm not cut out to do that because I'm very skinny and lanky so it looks stupid on me.  

So yeah, what do you do to avoid the awkward silence?

Honestly that stuff looks stupid on whoever is doing it. Just relax and count. No reason to feel embarrassed.

[49410enrique]

i savor the the music (silence is musical too!, remember as soon as you prepare the first note, the silence immediately before the first  and after the last sound is part of the piece/performance).

 usually these things appear in places of heightened or in order to heighten the emotional tension of a piece or phrase.  i do my best not to screw it up.  

mmm love me some fermata. yummy!

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Honestly that stuff looks stupid on whoever is doing it. Just relax and count. No reason to feel embarrassed.

It looks good when Valentina Lisitsa does it...  But everything looks good on Valentina Lisitsa!

No yeah, but seriously though... I've heard people make comments on what I do on a fermata.  They make fun of me because I apparently look weird?  I don't wanna put my hands on my lap because that'll make people think that I'm finished playing.  But I need something!

[j_menz]

But I need something!

Richter, Horowitz, Michelangeli, Rachmaninoff and no doubt plenty of others were not inclined to move more than strictly necessary. If you don't want to do your best Lang Lang impersonation, have a look at what they do in such places and copy.

If you do fancy trying a Lang Lang impersonation, please please post the vid. 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

If you do fancy trying a Lang Lang impersonation, please please post the vid. 

Except I don't have a microphone...

But yeah, I'll see if I can manage something like this:

[j_menz]

I'll see if I can manage something like this:

Who'd have thunk your skateboarding would be a useful piano skill. 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Who'd have thunk your skateboarding would be a useful piano skill. 

I actually wasn't thinking that lol.

But yeah, no more skating too intensely for a couple days.  I skated a bit today and it just got worse.

But it looks like I can use the time that I'm not skating for practicing!  Except I got kicked out of almost every place in my neighborhood...  But I can practice at the church!  Oh, they won't let me use their good piano...  At least it's still a piano!  But it's a dusty, out of tune upright where I can't play anything loud and fast or else the keys will get stuck...

[invictious]

Play it, and try to look as cool and stylish as possible until you cut the fermata.

Really, I do not think there are fermatas as long as ones which require you to think of doing something else.

[pianoman53]

You cough, unwrap candy and notice you didn't turn off your cellphone..

[werq34ac]

Generally speaking, during a fermata, as long as you have the pedal down, you can do whatever. However, if you just do whatever, it means you're not listening anymore. And somehow (psychologically, magically, physically, whatever I don't know) listening goes an incredibly long way in adding to your performance. Actually, as you listen to your sound, your body makes minute adjustments so that you get the sound that you want, instead of just playing keys.

However, since we're talking about something where you hold down the pedal and whatever, listening seems a bit more mystical. But it makes a huge difference, and that's why most of us here don't feel awkward during fermatas. Just listen to the sound, whether it's a chord, single note, or silence. Feel the intensity of the moment. If it's a note, hold it with your fingers even if it doesn't change the sound. Psychologically, you're more likely to listen to a note you hold with your fingers. If it's silence, don't make unnecessary movements (like resting your head). It's only awkward if you think it's awkward and do awkward things.

Although there is a point where you can just hold the pedal and do whatever, the music should never feel whatever. Never. It's an insult to whoever's listening.

On a related issue, preparation. After a fermata, if you have something else coming up, don't prepare early. You lose the impact. Do prepare so you don't miss it, but at the last possible moment.


Btw, if you're fermatas are long enough to feel awkward about, they're probably too long. Just an idea.

[danielekstrom]

Do what Valentina Lisitsa does: Go get Startbucks.

No, really, just use a neutral face or whatever goes with the performance. Just act natural, however you're feeling during the piece.