The Soul
The Golden section of this piano course, embodying the deeper, spiritual essence of the soul, is an expansive journey that captures the expressive universe of music. It ventures through diverse eras, styles, and techniques - from classical to contemporary, from improvisation to composition.
This section is the artistic culmination merging the technical skills you’ve learned with your unique voice and style. Mirroring the spiritual essence of the soul, the golden section guides students into an exploration of music’s vast expressive universe, from historical to modern styles, with an emphasis on impromptu and individual creativity.
Unit 13 navigates through the realm of the Classical Style, Sonata Form, and Alberti Bass. The intricacies of classical style and sonata form unravel, allowing students to dive into the elegant simplicity and balanced structures that define the classical era. Alberti bass, a commonly used type of accompaniment in classical music, is also studied, further immersing students in the richness of classical composition.
Unit 14 leads us to Romantic Playing and Rubato. Here, the powerful emotional language of romantic music is at the center. The lessons focus on rubato, a vital expressive technique that liberates the rhythm, creating fluctuations in tempo that mimic the human heart’s pulses. In conjunction, students delve into legato pedaling, black-key scales, and arpeggios, cultivating a deeper sense of connection between hands, keyboard, and emotion.
In Unit 15, we uncover the beauty of Composing, Improvising, and Modes. Students are encouraged to bring their creativity to the forefront, composing and improvising their music. The introduction of modes and off-notes provides an expanded harmonic vocabulary. Lessons on texture, jazz scales, and soloing underscore the relationship between the mind’s creative forces and the soul’s desire for expression.
Unit 16 embraces the complexity of Contrapuntal Playing and Hand Independence. Contrapuntal playing, where multiple, independent melodies are woven together, deepens the understanding of musical conversation. Hand independence is further explored, demanding a new level of coordination and consciousness. Elements of Ragtime and Beethoven’s oeuvre, as well as four-octave scales and arpeggios, help consolidate these skills.
Unit 17 ventures into 20th and 21st Century Piano Music. Here, students encounter tonal color, modern music techniques, and irregular meters, reflecting the rich diversity of contemporary piano music. The study of scales in 3rds and octaves enhances students’ technical versatility, preparing them to meet the demands of the modern repertoire.
Finally, Unit 18 embarks on the exploration of Latin Styles, Arranging, and Reharmonization. Students explore the rhythmically vibrant world of Latin music and the creative process of arranging. Reharmonization, bebop, modern jazz, and various ethnic, urban, fusion, and crossover styles broaden the musical palette. The course concludes with an in-depth study of odd-time, free improvisation, and the art of creating a performance.
The Golden section, reflecting the soul’s boundless expressive capacity, encourages students to bring their unique voice to their music. The process of mastering these varied styles and techniques becomes a journey of self-discovery, connecting students with their soul through music. The Golden section, in essence, is the bridge between the mastery of technical skills and the personal, emotional, and spiritual connection that music affords.