Dynamic Shadings

First year piano students really don't have adequate control over their fingers to spend much time shaping melodies using more sophisticated dynamic colorings.  But, within the second year some work should be done to create a more singing line and include dynamic shadings.  Repertoire and sight-reading materials studied will provide increasingly more sophisticated dynamic shadings.  Students should also be given a few exercises for crescendos and descrescendos within a phrase.

Phrasing, legato and staccato, balance between hands and dynamic shadings should be included in the repertoire at this juncture.  Melody should "sing" over the accompaniment.  When a melody is a sequence (repeated melodic motive) it should become slightly louder as it ascends (dynamic shading).  It is important to point out these features to students before they begin to practice the pieces, as it will help to avoid one week of incorrect practice.

Careful adherence to correct application of phrasing, legato, staccato, and balancing the hands with dynamic shadings will produce a musical sounding performance.

For more information about piano classes Bedminster, contact Barbara Ehrlich Piano Studio.