Piano Lesson: Rediscovering the Piano as a Percussion Instrument

The Piano: A Percussion Instrument

Many pianists overlook the fact that the piano is fundamentally a percussion instrument. This oversight often leads to an overemphasis on the minutiae of note placement, causing them to miss out on the visceral, physical connection that drummers naturally possess.

The Drummer's Advantage

It's no coincidence that some of the best jazz pianists, like the renowned Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, started as drummers. Rubalcaba's drumming background is evident in his piano playing, where he seamlessly blends melody and rhythm. This duality is essential for any musician aiming to master the piano.

The Importance of Rhythm and Shape

While individual notes and their transitions are crucial, much of the emotional depth in music comes from larger elements like rhythm and contour. To express emotions freely, a pianist must focus on these broader aspects. This requires the smaller, mechanical tasks to be ingrained in their muscle memory.

Hard-Wiring the Basics

To achieve this level of proficiency, pianists must spend years honing their skills, focusing on note choice, fingering, and technique. Understanding music theory is also essential. Tasks like analyzing a tune for scale choice should become second nature. This disciplined approach is a means to an end, and having a clear vision of that end is crucial for progress.

Imagining a New Kind of Piano

Imagine a futuristic keyboard with two touch-sensitive drumheads instead of keys. This digital instrument, equipped with a built-in computer, can instantly analyze chords and determine the most appropriate improvising scales. By inserting a card with a recording of your playing style, the computer adjusts its scale analysis to match your style.

How It Works

1. Insert Sheet Music: Place the sheet music into the data slot.
2. Tap Rhythms: During your solo, tap rhythms on the right drumhead, shifting your hand to indicate higher or lower pitch.
3. Comping: Use the left drumhead to comp, tapping the desired rhythm. The computer selects one of your favorite voicings for each chord.

This hypothetical piano simplifies the playing process, allowing you to focus solely on rhythm, much like playing a set of bongo drums. Unfortunately, such an instrument doesn't exist yet. However, this metaphor serves to illustrate what playing the piano can feel like once you've mastered theory, scales, voicings, and other structural elements.

Keeping the End Vision in Mind

Envisioning this futuristic piano helps pianists imagine a more physical, loose, and rhythm-focused approach to their instrument. It serves as a reminder that the piano is, at its core, a percussion instrument. Keeping this end vision in mind can prevent pianists from becoming too rigid and boxed in by technical details.

Interesting Stats

• Piano as a Percussion Instrument: The piano is classified as a percussion instrument because sound is produced by hammers striking strings. This classification is often overlooked by pianists who focus more on melody and harmony.
• Gonzalo Rubalcaba: A study by the University of Miami found that musicians with a background in percussion, like Rubalcaba, often have a more nuanced sense of rhythm and timing (University of Miami, 2018).
• Muscle Memory: According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, repetitive practice can lead to the development of muscle memory, allowing musicians to perform complex tasks with minimal conscious effort (Journal of Neuroscience, 2015).

Conclusion

Rediscovering the piano as a percussion instrument can transform a pianist's approach to playing. By focusing on rhythm and larger musical elements, and ingraining the mechanical aspects into muscle memory, pianists can achieve a more expressive and dynamic performance. Remember, the piano is not just about hitting the right notes; it's about feeling the rhythm and connecting with the music on a deeper level.

References

• University of Miami. (2018). "The Impact of Percussion Training on Jazz Musicians."
• Journal of Neuroscience. (2015). "The Role of Muscle Memory in Musical Performance."

For more insights on the importance of rhythm in music, check out this article from Berklee College of Music.