Dear Friends,

Lately I have had the good fortune to be practicing and rehearsing several songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams, from Songs of Travel. The cycle consists of nine songs set to texts by Robert Louis Stevenson. One of the songs in particular has captured my imagination this week:

Songs of Travel is Vaughan Williams' version of a "wayfarer" song cycle, in the tradition of (among others) Schumann's Winterreise, which depicts the journey of a traveler and the transformation that journey has on him.

"The Infinite Shining Heavens" is rooted in images of nocturnal beauty, and also the melancholy that can sometimes accompany such moments of quiet solitude in nature. At the end, the narrator contemplates his own mortality, as a star descends for him.

The piano writing captures the essence of starlight - with pianissimo rolled chords that create a rhythmic blanket of sound, while the baritone sings the text with a lyrical, unhurried line that undulates up and down, evoking the peace of the night.

Working on songs like these allows me to temporarily transport myself to a different time and place: a century ago, standing alone on a Scottish moor after a long day of walking, gazing up at "uncountable angel stars." Here's a beautiful recording of this song, performed by Iain Burnside and Roderick Williams.

I hope you are finding moments of beauty in your own life this week and that you have the opportunity to savor the music you hear, and that you are finding enjoyment in the music that you play on the piano.

Happy Practicing! 🎹

-Kate

🎼 Today's Practice Tip: Shape to the Top of the Phrase!

A lot of students are puzzled about how to shape music beyond what is notated through dynamic markings. It can be confusing to realize that just because a composer doesn't write dynamic markings doesn't mean that the music shouldn't get louder and softer.

If you think about music as a type of language with its own internal logic and syntax, this idea makes more sense. When we speak, we naturally make some words and syllables stronger than others, and, although we aren't usually aware of it, we often emphasize the most important word or words in a sentence. We do all of this instinctively, without explicit instructions to make one word louder than others, simply because we are trying to communicate a thought or idea.

A musical phrase works the same way. A phrase often drives to or leads to the highest note, or to a chord that is particularly dissonant. Or, sometimes, a phrase dips to a low point before coming back up.

Therefore, when practicing, it can be very helpful to look for the place where the phrase is "going" and then to practice shaping to that point.

This week’s exercise: Look at one phrase in a piece you're currently playing. A phrase is a section of a piece, usually 8 bars or so, that hangs together and seems like one thought, sort of like a complete sentence.

In that phrase, look for the highest note. Play the phrase several times, experimenting with growing to that note very gradually and making that note stand out organically from the line.

If you find yourself playing a loud accent on the highest note, practice building more gradually toward that note so it doesn't stick out of the texture quite as much. Use your ear to help guide you and listen for what sounds to you like a natural shape.

Then, look for the lowest note in the phrase - can you get quieter as you approach it? Use the CONTOUR of the line to help you phrase, and shape it naturally.

Quote of the Week

🎥 My recent videos

​8 Simple Habits to Become a Better Pianist ​

A the title states, in this video I explore eight habits that can help you become a better pianist. I've observed these habits in professional pianists that I've worked with as well as in the university piano students that I teach.

​Q&A: Answering Piano Technique Questions​

This video is a new format where I answer questions from viewers. I had the idea for this format after I passed the 10,000 subscriber benchmark - I solicited questions from you, my viewers, and selected three to answer in this video.

New Playlists

I recently re-organized my videos into playlists and put some of them on my channel home page. If you're looking for a more linear path through my videos, check out my channel home page and scroll down to explore the list of playlists!

💜 Some of My Favorite Things

1. I recently heard this wonderful performance of Bach's D Minor Keyboard Concerto, performed by Beatrice Rana and the Amsterdam Sinfonietta. I have been listening to it all week, and am captivated by the infectious buoyancy of Rana's artistry.
2. I have been working my way through Robert Weirich's latest book, called Recollections - it's a collection of several decades of his writings for various keyboard publications, organized by category. I love reading his insights into teaching and performing, and hearing his perspective on how the profession has changed over the course of his career.
3. Several people have asked me lately what my recommendations would be on how to progress in a linear way through technical exercises. This is what piano pedagogy methods excel at, both printed books and online. For a wonderful online option, I recommend taking a look at Piano Marvel - they have designed a comprehensive curriculum to take you progressively through different piano skills and exercises. They also have a robust sight reading curriculum. If you use this affiliate link you will receive a small discount.

🎹 Want to work with me?

Study at Butler: At Butler University I teach undergraduate and master's-level pianists. We still have three audition dates coming up: Feb 9, 16, and 19. Interested in learning more about studying at Butler? Simply reply to this email!

Xanthi, Greece: This summer I will be returning to Greece to teach at the Summer Piano Institute in Xanthi, from June 30-July 8. The festival consists of mainly undergraduate through doctoral-level piano students, but a few high school students and some adult amateurs also attend. You can read my blog post on last year's festival here. If you are interested, you can reply to this email or fill out this interest form.​

Butler Piano Camp: Students should have at least one year of prior piano study. Butler Piano Camp is designed for any student who has a passion for the piano, from classical to jazz, ragtime, and popular music. All students participate in masterclasses and piano ensemble. Other sessions include theory, music history, sight reading, careers in music, and guest performances. If you would like me as a teacher, please request that when you register.

🗓️ My Upcoming Performances and Events

Feb 15 and 17, 7:30 pm; Feb 18, 2:00 pm: Midwinter Dance Festival, Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University. Vaughan-Williams songs, with Oliver Worthington, baritone. Choreographed by Susan McGuire.

Feb 27, 7:30 pm: Rhapsody in Blue, Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University. With the Butler University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Trae Blanco.

March 16-19, Atlanta GA: I will be attending the MTNA National Conference as President-elect of the Indiana Music Teachers Association.

June 10-14, Butler University: Butler Piano Camp (for students ages 12-18).

June 30-July 8, Xanthi, Greece: Summer Piano Institute

July 12-13, Portland, OR: OMTA State Conference. I will be a featured presenter.

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