The Creative Pianist -

Gold Medal Rubric

Date February 12, 2025 Author By Jeff Category Uncategorized

Bronze Silver Gold right notes dynamics expressiveness correct rhythms articulations musicality basic technique score markings style fingering tempo decision-making steady beat pedal fluency impressive technique (memorization) flawlessness

Brahms Intermezzo in E Major, from Klavierstücke, Op. 116, No. 4

Date October 24, 2020 Author By Jeff Category Interpretation, Piano Lessons

Brahms Intermezzo in E Major, from Klavierstücke, Op. 116, No. 4 contains some interesting elements that should be considered literally.

Brahms Intermezzo Op. 117, No. 1: what’s up with the B-section?

Date May 15, 2020 Author By Jeff Category Interpretation, Piano Lessons

"Brahms Intermezzo Op. 117, No. 1," from The Creative Pianist

Brahms Intermezzo Op. 117, No. 1: what’s up with the B-section? Octave displacement, rhythmic displacement. There’s your answer.

Chopin Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2: not a waltz

Date April 30, 2020 Author By Jeff Category Piano Lessons

"Chopin Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2," from The Creative Pianist

How to play the accompaniment in the the Chopin Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2, without making it sound like a waltz. Here are some strategies.

Chopin Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2: 8 against 3

Date April 30, 2020 Author By Jeff Category Piano Lessons

How to learn the 8-against-3 polyrhythm in the Chopin Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2, measure 29: tear it down, and build it back up.

Rubato, and how to get there from “Gray Day”

Date October 19, 2019 Author By Jeff Category Interpretation, Piano Lessons

"Gray Day: a lesson about rubato," from The Creative Pianist

I’m going to use “Gray Day” as a lesson in rubato by way of phrase goals and phrase shaping.

Alec Rowley’s “Lied,” Op. 42, No. 13

Date August 23, 2019 Author By Jeff Category Interpretation

Alec Rowley’s “Lied:” a performance analysis involving the interretation of slurs, pacing, Romanticism, and rubato.

Christmas Carols

Date November 16, 2018 Author By Jeff Category Compositions, Piano Lessons

Student: I want to learn this whole book of Christmas Carols. Me: I’m not sure we have time for all of them. Student: Isn’t there some way we can make time?

How does a piano player intertpret a slur?

Date November 12, 2018 Author By Jeff Category Interpretation

How do pianists interpret slurs? The obvious answer is, “They play legato.” But in fact, there’s much more to it: phrasing, musicality, and metric accent all play important roles.