Rules, Creativity & Imagination
Connecting Play & Playing pt.2
Let’s dig into Peter Gray’s third and fourth characteristics of play. Play is…
guided by mental rules or concepts invented or adopted
always creative and usually imaginative
The mental rules and concepts both invented and adopted represent the music. A composer gives up ideas via their notation. We adopt and sometimes invent practices related to the period of composition. For instance, trills are played differently in the 17th century than in the 18th century. For music composed today, the composer often provides information about the creation of nontraditional sounds, how long an accidental lasts, etc.
The fourth characteristic is where individual artistry comes in. Musicians may read the same score, but each will deliver a unique interpretation. For instance, playing a dynamic marking in a certain manner or emphasizing specific notes in a phrase.
How can you maximize the play in your playing or singing? Have a solid foundation to your sound. Be able to play a full range of dynamics and colors along with a variety of articulations. You can easily choose the right sound when your sound palette is full. I fill out my palette with tone, technique, and etudes.
Identify the qualities you want to bring out in the music. For example is the music, sneaky, sad, remorseful, or nostalgic? Picture a character, real or fictional that the music is about. Then fill out the story of what the music depicts with details of time, location, and events.
You are on your way to putting play back into your playing or singing! Be curious and let me know what you discover!