What matters is how you leave a note
A musical note, pressed down by your fingers, hammer to string to sound, will echo what’s in your head while you play it
So accuracy first, because you want to get the right sound
Then phrasing and dynamics, less mechanical (less thought, more feel)
Then, a moment before you lift off, before an end (break or pause)
How do you want to leave?
Do you want to
let this note linger in the air, only two sounds then — silence and music
Marcato, you know you’ll be remembered
Dolce, caress your listener into the finale
What’s in your head when you play?
Listen for the sounds between your playing
Between your fingers when they’re lifted up
Who plays when you don’t?
The important thing is to allow your note to sing its goodbye
Note
How the air is punctured
Punctuated by percussion
The important thing is to know when the note has sung
Sunk
The important thing is to know when to let go.
