Does it matter very much if a piece isn't played exactly at the stated bpm?
Hi compline,
Firstly, matter to who? I think each person must decide this for themselves based on their needs/situations, etc.
Secondly, it depends. Some editions and editors have some ridiculous bpm tempos. I learned this the hard way. Only after some research on specific pieces did I discover that almost nobody plays them that fast. IMO these tempos don't matter.
Thirdly, when I have a "trusted respectable source" then the tempo does matter to me.
It matters to me for two reasons:
1. Since I am still developing my chops, skills, techniques, etc. and am not playing particularly advanced music then how can I expect to play some of the more difficult repertoire if I can't handle this easier stuff at tempo? Therefore, I had made it a habit when studying/learning/practicing a piece to be sure to stay with it until I could play at tempo. I still have this habit to this day! This habit has worked out well for me over the years.
Let's say a stated tempo range is 88-100. I would ideally like to play the piece at 100. If I'm learning a grade 1 piece then my OCD kicks in and I think to myself, well Joseph, just how are you going to handle grade 2 repertoire tempos? Most of what I do is "governed" by my OCD.
I will now digress to tell you about how this OCD applies/affects MY piano study:
1. I must do grades.
2. I must learn 30-50 pieces at each grade level. Sometimes, it's more like 100!
3. I must study pieces from all the different periods.
4. I must study music I don't like. This can be unpleasant.
5. I must play many, many different composers.
6. I must learn pieces in all the keys. Some keys don't have "easy" repertoire.
7. I must study "everything". I started over again with "Norton Connections" grade 1. This music was foreign. I had learned sonatinas, minuets, etc. This music is an entirely different world. Latin pieces, swing, blues, lyrical, jazz, etc. Such way different rhythms and syncopations everywhere and foreign harmonies. My brain and fingers didn't know what to do.
Yes, this could be seen as exhausting but I'm used to it and it's "normal" for me. I really do believe I am a more rounded pianist because of it. It's kind of like eating your veggies.
Anyway, I did say it matters for two reasons.
2. I was taught that a convincing performance is expected, needs to be, is required? to be at some minimum tempo. Something like that. I sort of agree with this. There are of course pieces that sound good at any tempo.
So, I was "taught" that with a given tempo range, say again of 88-100, that a convincing performance would be a minimum of at least 80. The general rule of thumb I have learned was around no more than 2 or 3 metronome clicks below tempo for a "convincing" performance.
Those are my two reasons, Joe.