Developing Musical Phrases

To play music well and convey its message truthfully, our sound must be beautiful, our sheet music reading precise, and our fingers agile, playing each note clearly and without errors. The onset of each note—our articulation—should be clear and beautiful. Moreover, we must vary dynamics and sound colors to express emotions that touch hearts.

Playing well isn't just about accurately reading sheet music—though that is essential—but also interpreting the music, adding dynamics, nuances in sound, and conveying the emotion carried by the lyrics and melody.

To better understand this, think of a storyteller who changes their voice according to the drama, joy, or suspense they narrate. Similarly, when playing music, we must "tell its story" through our instrument. Another example is the painter, who uses various colors and textures to bring life and depth to their work; similarly, our sound should be expressive.

Begin by thoroughly studying the sheet music, then work on interpretation: put feeling into each musical phrase, using variations in dynamics and articulation to bring the music to life.

Just as we modulate our voices to express different emotions when speaking, we must do the same in music: speak loudly to convey intensity and soften to express peace or gratitude. With our instrument, dynamics and tone variations are our tools for expressing these emotions.

Playing music isn't just about hitting the right notes. Each note is like a word, and together they form phrases that must make sense and convey emotion.

Imagine you're saying something beautiful to someone: you don't speak by harshly striking each word; you speak intentionally, vary your voice, breathe, and create curves in sound.

Explaining with Metaphors

Here are some practical metaphors effective for teaching expressive, rounded, and emotional musical phrasing:

1. "Painting a line with sound" Imagine sound as a brush and each musical phrase as a continuous line you're painting in the air. If you stop or damage this line, the painting suffers. Keep the stroke fluid, round, smooth—even when changing color (note).

2. "Speaking poetry with the instrument" Playing isn't about robotically speaking hard syllables; it's like reciting poetry. Sometimes you speak louder, sometimes softer; you elongate some words and shorten others. Music needs breathing space and emotion, just like spoken poetry.

3. "Each note is a droplet sliding to the next" Imagine each note as a drop of water sliding naturally to the next. If you throw the drop abruptly, it breaks; let it flow, and it will smoothly merge with the next, forming a natural, beautiful transition.

4. "Climbing and descending hills with sound" Rather than playing all notes at the same level, imagine you're walking over hills and valleys. Some notes will build (ascending the hill, increasing intensity), while others will relax (descending gently).

5. "Singing with the instrument" Play as if you’re singing the music internally. Singers don't strike notes; they feel the natural weight of words, elongate, shorten, and color them. Your flute or any instrument should sing with feeling.

6. "Breathing arc" Each phrase has a natural arc, similar to complete breathing: inhalation, growth, climax, exhalation. Good playing respects this arc in each phrase, avoiding a sound that is static, truncated, or lifeless.

Here are practical exercises for expressive interpretation in performing classical pieces:

1. Crescendo and Decrescendo Dynamics Exercise

• • Choose a short musical phrase.

  • Repeat it, gradually increasing volume to the phrase's peak, then softly decreasing toward the end.

  • Vary the peak intensity point each repetition to explore expressive possibilities.

2. Varied Articulation Exercise

• Select a phrase and experiment with playing it differently:

  • Legato: as smoothly as possible, connecting each note.

  • Staccato: each note detached, but never aggressive.

  • Portato: articulated notes gently connected, creating small sound waves.

• Mix these articulations within the same musical phrase.

3. Breathing Arc (Phrasing) Exercise

• • Breathe deeply before each musical phrase.

  • Play as if singing: allow each phrase to have a clear beginning, expressive development, and soft ending.

  • After each phrase, breathe again as if singing.

4. "Singing on the Instrument" Exercise

• • Sing the musical phrase aloud before playing.

  • When playing, maintain the musical idea from your singing.

  • Try to replicate the feeling, breathing, and dynamics used while singing.

These pieces are excellent for developing the above skills:

"Sicilienne" (Gabriel Fauré)

• • For dynamics, phrasing, and smooth transitions.

  • Recording by Jean-Pierre Rampal

"Meditation" from Thaïs (Jules Massenet)

• • Great for emotional intensity, fluid phrasing, and expressive dynamics.

  • Recording by Jean-Pierre Rampal

"Clair de Lune" (Debussy)

• Essential for practicing subtle dynamic control and delicate nuances.

• Recording by Sir James Galway

Bach – Arioso (usually extracted from Cantata BWV 156)

• • Perfect for studying long phrasing, sound control, gentle dynamics, and natural legato.

  • Recording by Jean-Pierre Rampal

• Start slowly: Play slowly, focusing on dynamics and articulation.

• Divide into short phrases: Work phrase-by-phrase, exploring different emotional interpretations.

• Use recordings as references: Listen to professionals interpreting these pieces to capture nuances and ideas adaptable to your style.

• Record your practice: Evaluate your execution, listening particularly for clear and expressive interpretation.

These exercises and pieces not only foster technical development but, importantly, deepen understanding of interpreting classical music with sensitivity and emotional expression.

Nilson Mascolo Filho